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AAP
AAP
Sport
Ed Jackson

Steely-eyed Lions switched on for Giants

Brisbane will be out to rebound from a shock loss to Hawthorn when they take on GWS at the Gabba. (AAP)

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan is under no illusions his Lions players are out to set the record straight against GWS after last weekend's AFL loss to Hawthorn.

The Hawks posted their first win since Easter Monday against the high-flying Lions in Launceston, inflicting just Brisbane's second defeat of the season.

Captain Dayne Zorko labelled the five-point loss a wake-up call for his team and Fagan believes there will almost certainly be a response at the Gabba on Saturday against the Giants.

"They weren't too jovial when they walked into the team meeting this morning, which is usually a good sign that their minds are on the job," Fagan said.

"You've got to move on pretty quickly. Learn the lessons.

"I look at our group this year, we're eight wins and two losses and our two losses have been by 10 points at Geelong and five points at Launceston. We're not too far off having had a perfect season.

"We were disappointed in elements of our game.

"We're averaging 69 points against and we conceded 117 last week. There were some elements of our team defence, away from the contest that let us down.

"They're effort things and we've had a look at those this week and the boys understand what happened.

"Hopefully we can not have that happen again tomorrow."

Key forward Dan McStay will return for the hosts after two weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury, while Marcus Adams comes back from health and safety protocols.

There's also a return to the lineup for youngster Deven Robertson, who will step into the shoes of star midfielder Hugh McCluggage (hamstring).

The Giants meanwhile head north after a win over West Coast with Lachie Ash back from illness and key defender Lachie Keeffe recalled.

The loss to the Hawks featured a total of 63 free-kicks paid during the game, a 10-year high for an AFL match but Fagan dismissed those numbers as more of an indication of his team's style of play than an issue that needs addressing.

"You always like to get more than you give away but our games tend to be fairly contested sorts of games," he said.

"And there's lots of physical contact that goes on in those games.

"I just think it's an actual thing that there'll be more free kicks in the game and there's a chance that we might be in the negative from time to time."

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