Lions' case for the defence

BRISBANE Lions running defender Ashley McGrath says the team's defence can turn the tables on Collingwood's dynamic small forwards in Saturday night's crucial match at the MCG.

When the teams met at the Gabba in round four, Paul Medhurst (four goals) and Leon Davis (three) ripped the Lions to pieces in a 17-point win.

With Dane Swan, Alan Didak, Dale Thomas and Rising Star nominee Dayne Beams also going forward and kicking goals throughout the season, the Magpies' little men can cause plenty of headaches.

But McGrath says he and the rest of the Lions' back six can do the job.

The 26-year-old is in sensational form in 2009, playing all 17 games and averaging 22 touches and 10 marks since the mid-season break.

"I've played on Davis and Medhurst and they're a good challenge," he said.

"We might have been a bit off our game last time. I'm not sure why, maybe it was because it was our first Friday night game, but I'm looking forward to the challenge of lining up on them.

"Davis is in career best form and if he comes forward our defensive group needs to be on its game.

"I'll just take whoever comes, but the last few times we've played Collingwood, I've had Davis when he's come forward."

The 2003 premiership player believes the Lions are in a good position to take on the multi-faceted Magpies attack.

Defensive pillars Daniel Merrett and Joel Patfull both have five games under their belts since return from month-long mid-season injuries, and with Josh Drummond and Joel Macdonald also fit and firing there is some solidity in the back half.

"We've always been a tight knit defensive group, and I think the loss of Jed Adcock a few weeks ago made us tighter," McGrath said.

"He's one of our leaders and he was a big loss so guys like me and Joel Mac have had to step up.

"Our game starts from defence and if we play on and get it to the midfield quickly, it helps our game.

"It makes the forwards and everyone else move more. When you hold it up a bit longer, everyone tends to stand around and it gives them time to drop back in front of Browny, so the more we play on, it helps our game a lot."

McGrath, who has played 130 career games, said while the Lions were not thinking about finals yet, a win on Saturday night would be huge for their confidence.

Both teams are locked in a four-way battle with Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs on 11-6 and fighting for third and fourth and a double chance in the finals.

The Lions have won three matches in succession and will play Collingwood and Essendon in back-to-back games at the MCG in the next fortnight.

"We always have good games against Collingwood and it's good to get them at the MCG in front of a packed house, probably 70,000 people; we don't get that chance too often," he said.

"They are up there with St Kilda and Geelong at the moment. All their players are playing their part.

"It'd be a massive win and a massive confidence boost for us. It'll be a packed house and they'll have a lot of fans screaming for them, so hopefully a few Fitzroy fans can get along and support us."