For years, Brisbane have stressed the importance of not relying on co-captain Jonathan Brown for goals.
Yet it seems there is no substitute for a Brown bagful, judging by the impact of his match-winning five-goal haul on the Lions ahead of Sunday’s AFL clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger agreed his side would “walk a little taller” into their weekend showdown after seeing Brown in full flight against Gold Coast.
The two-point last-round win over the Suns marked the Lions’ first of the season.
But Leuenberger hinted the side received a bigger boost from seeing Brown – who had kicked just one goal in the opening two rounds – back to his best.
“It’s great to see Brownie up and running and playing the footy we know he can play,” he said.
“He is the captain of our group and the focal point for many years.
“Just to see him up and going gives great confidence to everyone.”
But Lions assistant Mark Harvey stressed Brown “needs an ally” up forward if they are to rebuild.
“It’s really important that your captain plays well in those sorts of games (derbies),” he told the Lions website.
“He also needs an ally down there to help him out, and we’re constantly trying to find that as a coaching staff.”
Ex-Demon Stefan Martin is the latest to join Brown in attack this season along with Aaron Cornelius and Niall McKeever.
Jordan Lisle – yet to play a senior game in 2013 – is considered another option.
Still, Brown provided the shot in the arm the Lions needed as they attempted to try to solve another problem – how to win away.
Brisbane looked to have exorcised their travel demons with pre-season wins over Collingwood and Carlton at Etihad Stadium to claim the NAB Cup.
However, the Lions were walloped by 68 points at the same venue in round one by wooden spoon fancies the Western Bulldogs.
“We thought we’d made massive inroads in the way we played when we travelled,” Leuenberger said.
“I think the boys are looking forward to making amends.”
Leuenberger said he was still “finding his feet” in his return from a year-long achilles injury but looked forward to his showdown with North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein.
Another long-term injury victim, Brent Staker, is set to make his long-awaited return from knee surgery with the Lions reserves on Saturday.