Lions out to hurt Magpies

Brisbane may not be in the AFL finals hunt but they're determined to spoil the party for Collingwood, by dealing the struggling Pies a loss this weekend.

Lions players celebrate a goal

Brisbane may not be in the AFL finals hunt but they're determined to spoil the party for Collingwood (AAP)

Combative Brisbane star Tom Rockliff says the Lions are desperate to have a say in just who gets to reach this year's AFL finals.

The Lions are out of the finals hunt but take on Collingwood on Saturday, with the Magpies having just dropped out of the top eight following their 60-point loss to West Coast.

Rockliff says after throwing in the towel in last weekend's disappointing loss to Adelaide, the Lions are hunting a major scalp to show the 105-point thrashing by the Crows was a mere aberration.

"We can't make the finals, but we've got a feeling we can shape it in the last three weeks," the Lions vice-captain said.

"You love the opportunity to impact on finals teams and to make sure they know we're here.

"There's great rivalry between the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood Footy Club.

"It's a good opportunity for our group."

Rockliff will be lining up in his 100th AFL game against the Magpies, having debuted against the same opposition in 2009.

After being overlooked in the 2008 draft despite being the leading goalkicker in that year's TAC Cup, Rockliff said he couldn't thank the Lions enough for allowing him to achieve his AFL dream.

"I've always been told since I was 10 or 11 I wasn't good enough to make it," Rockliff said.

"I was too small. I'd never make it at the top level. I'd be a good country footballer back home.

"I think people putting me down has always given me an extra bit of motivation. You always want to prove people wrong. I got a chance with Brisbane and am forever grateful for that opportunity."


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