The biggest penalty in AFL history might have left the finals door ajar for Brisbane but Lions co-captain Jonathan Brown believes it is only a matter of time before his side start earning a top-eight spot in less dramatic fashion.
Brown - recovering from knee and foot surgery - on Wednesday cut a more frustrated picture than usual as the Lions hit the training paddock finally knowing they are a finals chance as a result of the Essendon supplements saga.
The Lions can sneak in if they overcome the enormous task of downing the Cats in Geelong and Carlton lose to Port Adelaide.
Brown said, either way, this week will be good practice for what he hopes will become a regular occurrence at Brisbane - playing finals footy.
"It is exciting for the boys because they are playing for something this week," he said.
"It's like a mini-final.
"It's obviously unexpected and a tough ask going to Geelong.
"But it is good preparation whether we come through or not. It will stand us in good stead.
"Hopefully we will be featuring in the finals in years to come."
Brown admitted he expected the AFL to come down hard on Essendon but was still surprised by the severity of the penalties.
"It was probably expected but, at the end of the day, it was still a shock to the AFL community," he said.
"The draft picks are probably the most significant of the penalties because it affects a club's ability to build their future.
"Essendon's list is in pretty good shape anyway so they are in as good a position as anyone to combat that.
"It's obviously the biggest penalty in the history of the game but the AFL is big on integrity so you knew they were going to come down heavy-handed.
"We are certainly saddened by it.
"It hasn't been good for the image of the game (but) I think we all want to move on."
Essendon rewarded Hird with a two-year contract extension despite the supplements saga but Brown said he wanted to see the Bombers' legend return.
"At end of the day, Hirdy has accepted it (penalties) so obviously they knew they were in the wrong somehow," he said.
"The AFL was concerned they provided an environment that was potentially not giving the right care to the players.
"People make mistakes, people get suspended but, as Andrew Demetriou said, there is room for forgiveness in the AFL.
"Once Hird serves his time, he should be allowed back.
"He is a great of the game. He has done a lot of good things for the game. It would be good to see him back in there."
Brown gave his strongest indication yet that he will play on by undergoing minor knee surgery last week in a procedure that will allow him to start pre-season training.
