After cementing their spot in the eight following a fifth consecutive win, Brisbane coach Chris Fagan believes his men have plenty of upside as the competition turns toward the run to the finals.
The Lions are suddenly the in-form team in the competition after taking down Adelaide by 11 points, with Hawthorn and Carlton suffering losses over the weekend.
Fagan has attributed the club's offensive prowess to the resurgence, which has been a consistent figure since 2019, sitting among the top three sides each year, but has called for improvements in another area.
"I feel like defensively we've dropped away a little bit, but offensively we've picked up. It's about finding that balance," Fagan said post-game.
"There's a little bit of team defence stuff we need to keep working on.
"That's been talked about for the last few weeks. I'm aware of that and we are working on it.
"That's probably the main thing, but you don't want to not score either, so you have to find that balance."
Brisbane held the lead from start to finish but couldn't put away the Crows, despite leading all critical statistical measures including inside 50s (55-48), clearances (42-37), turnovers (57-61) and shot on goal (27-21).
However, Fagan felt the club "butchered opportunities" that kept the visitors in the game but was still pleased with taking home the four premiership points.
"I did feel we butchered a few opportunities that we shouldn't of that made the margin closer than it should've been.
"But in a season where anything can happen, we just keep taking the four points. That's the bottom line.
"You've got to hold your nerve. It's just one of those years. You can't get despondent when you lose and you got to keep forging forward.
"Just stay calm. Somehow."
The Lions are now just a win outside the top four with seven matches remaining, while a clash with West Coast looms next week.
However, one player who won't be making the trip to Optus Stadium will be defender Brandon Starcevich, who left the game following an off-ball hit from Crows forward Izak Rankine.
Starcevich was ruled out with a concussion and will enter protocols and the mandatory 12-day period following the knock.
Speculation has arisen over the incident that could see Rankine sidelined for multiple weeks given the outcome and how far it was away from the ball.
Izak Rankine and Brandon Starcevich both came from the ground following this incident.#AFLLionsCrows pic.twitter.com/k021X1lfaq
— AFL (@AFL) July 7, 2024
The Match Review Officer (MRO) will release their findings on Sunday's games later today.
