The cliches are running hot at the Gabba but on the eve of his 100th AFL game Daniel McStay admits he’s still able to appreciate Brisbane’s resurgence.

A win in Saturday’s clash with top-of-the-ladder Geelong could see the Lions lead the competition before their final regular-season assignment against Richmond.

The Lions won just five games last season to finish 15th but will enter their first finals campaign since 2009 as one of the competition’s form sides.

Eight straight wins since the bye have contributed to that, with players and staff echoing the same process-driven “one week at a time” focus along the way.

McStay, the defender-turned-forward, has ridden the wave since his arrival as a Lions draftee in 2014.

“It’s all the same messaging, as I’m sure you’re aware but it’s honestly the way we talk about it in meetings,” McStay said of the mindset.

“We haven’t worried about results the last eight weeks and it’s worked well for us, so it’s the way we continue to grow.”

But McStay said he isn’t taking things for granted, admitting when he joined the club “we weren’t a great side”.

“We’re taking it week by week and all that, but also enjoying the ride,” he said.

“Footy can be a very hard place at times, but when things are going well you’ve got to enjoy it.

“We’ve had some pretty tough times, so it is a nice change; we’re really thriving at the moment but hoping to continue that success for years on years to come.”

The Lions have lost just once in 10 games at the Gabba this year, thumped by Collingwood on the Thursday before Easter.

Saturday’s clash with the Cats is expected to be Brisbane’s only other sell-out this season and McStay is sure they’ve learnt from the experience against the Magpies.

“We were probably a little excited about the big stage and went away from thinking about it as a normal game,” he said.

“We’ve got better at not getting overawed by the occasion … the key is not trying to do too much.”