Brisbane premiership star Hugh McCluggage believes the Lions can cope with any adversity that comes their way after putting aside a difficult week to record a stirring win.
Coach Chris Fagan described Saturday's four-point triumph over Sydney at the SCG in a grand final rematch as one of the Lions' "great wins".
The match was Brisbane's first of the AFL season after their premiership flag-unfurling was delayed when Cyclone Alfred forced their clash with Geelong to be postponed.
Not only did the Lions have to deal with weather wreaking havoc in their home state, but several players found themselves in tough situations.
Key forward-ruck Sam Day was set to play his first game for the club after being picked up from Gold Coast, but had to pull out of the match due to the death of his father.
Popular forward Linc McCarthy, who missed last year's premiership due to a knee injury, suffered a second anterior cruciate ligament at training before the Lions flew to Sydney.
"It was a pretty tough week," McCluggage told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday.
"We had a pretty good training on Tuesday at the Gabba, then Linc got us in and broke the news and it was quite a deflating moment.
"For it just to be taken away from him like that was very disappointing for him as a footballer and a mate.
"Probably in the past when things like that have happened we haven't really dealt with it as well as we've been able to this year and last year.
"You've just got to try and park it.
"Those guys know we care for them but we've got to move on because we've got a job at hand."
Against Sydney, star forward Charlie Cameron (calf) was withdrawn from the team only an hour before the match.
And when Kai Lohmann suffered an ankle injury early, the Lions were suddenly without their three leading goal-kickers from last year following Joe Daniher's post-premiership retirement.
Important defender Brandon Starcevich also suffered his third concussion in eight months during the third quarter against the Swans, which McCluggage described as "very concerning".
"I've had a few concussions myself and it can be quite concerning when you're in that situation and not sure how you're going to recover," the vice-captain said.
"There's concern with every concussion whether it's one, whether it's two, whether it's more than that.
"Obviously the more you have, the more the level of concern. You never like to see them start stacking up.
"But 'Starce' has a great medical team around him and I'm sure they'll be doing everything they can."
Brisbane will finally unfurl their premiership flag this Sunday before their Gabba clash with struggling West Coast.
Despite the Eagles coming off a horror 87-point defeat in Andrew McQualter's first game as coach, McCluggage expects West Coast to bounce back strongly.
"If there's one thing I've learnt in my time playing AFL, it's that the week before does not matter," the 27-year-old said.
