Brisbane Lions great Simon Black expects the "emotional arousal" of the AFL finals series to bring out the best of a side he sees as frontrunners to defend their flag.
Former Norm Smith and Brownlow medal winner Black has been careful to heap praise on a team he doubted had the ruthlessness to get the job done last September.
In May, the three-time All Australian was critical of the Lions' wasteful forward line and pondered how they'd overcome the retirement of Joe Daniher.
But the Lions stormed from fifth to blitz Sydney in last year's final and win the premiership, while 20-year-old forward Logan Morris has blossomed this season.
Impressed by what he's seen, Black thinks Friday's qualifying final against Geelong at the MCG will bring out the best of a side that's lost just twice on the road all season.
"The emotional arousal, if you like, is what starts to get them going," the retired Lions midfielder said.
"They've proven this year that big games, they relish.
"We all know the ability they've got. You just need to turn that switch a little bit.
"Brisbane, at their best, is extremely powerful and probably is the best."
Co-captain Harris Andrews, who this week joined Black as a three-time All Australian, feels as if the team can deliver that.
"I wouldn't say there's an exact moment where we went, 'Yeah, let's flick the switch'," he said.
"We've been working towards that for the last six months."
The Lions, who are set to welcome back key pair Lachie Neale and Jarrod Berry from injury, beat Fremantle in Perth and then toppled Hawthorn in the final round to lock in a top-four spot.
Geelong have enjoyed a comfortable run to September, with their last victory over a top-eight side coming in round 13 against Gold Coast.
GWS, who beat the Cats, are the only top-eight side they've played in their last 10 matches.
"I wouldn't be thinking too much about them, wasting my energy thinking about their draw or however that looks," Andrews said.
"We've had some really tough matchups. Freo in Perth, then Hawthorn with a lot on the line.
"We've had a great preparation and really enjoyed the challenges that have been there."
