Forget the noisy neighbours, Brisbane are just desperate to get their AFL season off the ground against Gold Coast on Saturday.
The Lions host their Queensland rivals after an 0-3 start to the season and coach Justin Leppitsch says getting that first win of the year is all that he is focused on.
Leppitsch says the unbeaten Suns have been providing "a bit of chirp" in the build-up to the 11th meeting between the clubs.
After winning three of the past four Queensland derbies, and with a 3-0 record, the Suns head north with plenty of confidence - but Leppitsch says it's all about the result for his team, not the opposition.
"You can have honourable losses and go `geez, if we were just accurate today who knows what happens?' but it doesn't change that people like fans, players, coaches like to see that W next to you," Leppitsch said.
"However you scrap and fight it out. We'll take an ugly win over a pretty loss.
"We just have to find that win and hopefully it kickstarts this week."
The Lions have promised plenty of aggression in a bid to intimidate the Suns, highlighting Mitch Robinson's display against Geelong last weekend as a benchmark for the squad to follow.
Suns coach Rodney Eade, who has been forced into a defensive reshuffle due to injuries to Trent McKenzie and Rory Thompson, says the tough talk from up north is nothing more than noise.
"I don't think our team is going to be intimidated, to be honest," Eade said.
"We've built our game on hard work and at the contest so I don't think that's going to ruffle our feathers.
"The main thing is the scoreboard and then, an extension of that, being able to win the ball and control the ball. Anything outside that is really superfluous. It's all hot air."
The Lions will welcome back key midfielder Daniel Rich after he missed the loss to the Cats with hamstring tightness with youngster Billy Evans making way.
The Suns have made three changes from the team that beat Carlton with Callum Ah Chee and Touk Miller coming back from injury and Keegan Brooksby set to make his first appearance of the season.
Along with McKenzie and Thompson, the Suns have omitted Brandon Matera.
Share
