All that talk in Brisbane Lions meetings is paying off, with coach Chris Fagan declaring their team defence is the best it's been since he arrived at the AFL club six years ago.
The Lions have conceded just 81, 56, 53 and 35 points in four-straight wins since a shock loss to Hawthorn at the MCG, where they return to face Melbourne on Friday night.
That Hawks defeat sparked change for the premiership hopefuls, with veteran defender Daniel Rich dropped and yet to return to a Lions' back six that possesses pace, agility and plenty of flair.
Fagan has credited Brisbane's team defence for the spurt of form that's delivered confidence they can snap a run of 12-straight regular-season losses at the MCG.
"Our team defence has probably been the best it's ever been and it'll need to be again," the coach said.
"That was a major weakness against Hawthorn there five weeks ago.
"If we do that well, our offence tends to handle itself.
"If you come to our team meetings, it's all we talk about."
Brisbane beat Melbourne at the Gabba earlier this season, the hosts leading comfortably before a blackout plunged the venue into darkness.
Max Gawn was an early casualty in that game, with Brodie Grundy tasked with the primary ruck duties in his absence.
The Demons have dropped Grundy from the side to face Brisbane, while Clayton Oliver remains sidelined.
The absence of Josh Dunkley (calf) for Brisbane effectively cancels that out, with the Lions welcoming Jarrod Berry and Lincoln McCarthy back into the side that crushed West Coast last Saturday.
Fagan said his side would watch out for Christian Petracca roaming forward like he did in a defeat of St Kilda last week, but that the war would be won in the middle.
"The game against Melbourne is always around the contested ball and who can win territory," Fagan said.
"That's the way the games have swung over the past year or so when we've played them.
"We need to do well in and around the ball to give ourselves the best chance."
