AS BRISBANE confronts the prospect of missing finals for just the second time in its history, coach Craig Starcevich says it's time to go "back to the future".

The Lions have lost five straight games and sit in 14th place, three wins, plus percentage, outside the eight with three rounds remaining.

Barring an all-time miracle, they will miss finals for the first time since 2019.

Despite the predicament, Starcevich says he's learned plenty this season, particularly during Sunday's loss to Hawthorn.

With a howling wind dramatically favouring one end, both teams had to adjust their mode of ball movement depending on which way they were going.

Starcevich hopes it has triggered something for the Lions' final three games.

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"For us it's a little bit of back to the future," he said on Wednesday.

"We were the run-hard-high-handball team in the early days, albeit a little bit more chaotic. 

"We've tried to equip our team with a little bit of both (methods) over the last couple of years. A little bit of good ball movement by foot and a little bit of kamikaze handball from one end to the other.

"Last week gave us a good insight into how our team was able to flick into a mode that was pretty effective.

"It's good for their footy education, good to have another tool you can pull out when you need it."

Craig Starcevich during the round one AFLW match between Brisbane and Essendon at Windy Hill on August 16, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

With injuries impacting their in-season continuity like rarely before, Brisbane has leant on its youth, with Asher Fearn-Wannan, Claudia Wright and Sophie Peters impressing in larger roles.

The midfield, for so long Brisbane's strength, has struggled to beat its opponents, despite a strong season from Belle Dawes.

Ahead of facing Port Adelaide at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday, Starcevich hinted the Lions might go a little more defensive in that part of the ground.

"We have had the discussion the last couple of days of whether we go back to having a stronger sense of accountability in there and I think that's where you have to drift if the season hasn't gone well," he said.

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"If you're not playing well, you've got to first and foremost lock down and be as defensively sound as you can be before you get your own game going from an offensive point of view.

"I think that's where we're at, not only the midfield, but probably everywhere."

Impressive draftee Marlo Graham is expected to return from a corked calf to face Port.