Brisbane coach Michael Voss says the Lions' small AFL finals chance makes next Sunday's clash with Port Adelaide very big.
The Lions' scrappy 13.16 (94) to 11.9 (75) win over Melbourne in difficult, humid conditions in Darwin on Saturday night was their fourth in five games.
Their seventh victory of the season left the Lions still trailing the eighth-placed Power by two wins plus a large percentage gap.
But if they can beat Port at AAMI Stadium on Sunday, they'll be just one win and percentage outside the eight.
"We do have an opportunity in front of us in eight days' time and we're playing a side who is around us on the ladder and they're very important games," Voss told reporters in Darwin after Saturday night's win.
"Last week, we won that one against North Melbourne and Port have shown that they're a pretty good football team.
"So what we have put ourselves (in) is in a position (with) an opportunity.
"Since the bye, I've been really impressed with the players, the way they're going about things, so we've put ourselves in with that little, small chance.
"But this week's going to be a big game."
Voss was heartened by the spread of midfield and forward contributors Brisbane had against the Demons, particularly without triple-premiership veterans Jonathan Brown and Simon Black and ex-Demon Brent Moloney.
Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley, Jack Redden and Daniel Rich were influential in midfield, while Brent Staker and Josh Green, with three goals each, and Daniel Merrett (two) converted in attack.
"We keep sharing the workload around so we don't rely on one particular individual," Voss said.
The Demons lost defender Colin Garland to an ankle injury in the third term and coach Neil Craig was uncertain how long he might be sidelined.
"Garland's been a fantastic player for us, so I'm not sure how many (matches) he'll miss with that ankle," Craig said.
"He may not miss any, but it's not a good strain in terms of the place that it occurred."
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