After a meeting where plenty of home truths were said, the Brisbane Lions have turned back to their valued philosophies as they attempt to put last week's horror show behind them.
The defending premiers' aura took a battering last week when they conceded a record 14 goals during the third quarter of their 78-point loss to GWS.
It left Brisbane nursing a 6-5 record in their pursuit of a third-straight flag, and they will receive another huge test on Saturday when they take on a red-hot Fremantle outfit at the Gabba.
Heavy losses to Geelong and GWS over the past fortnight have raised major questions about the Lions' direction and motivation.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan is hopeful a brutally-honest meeting this week in the wake of the third quarter "disaster" against the Giants will get them back on track.
"You wanted to see honesty in the meetings, which we saw," Fagan said.
"There's no good having those sort of meetings if no one is prepared to speak up and tell the truth. So there was a lot of truth told, which was great."
Fagan hopes the loss to GWS proves to be an important turning point in the season.
"It was a good reminder for us to go back to some of our basic philosophies and the way we go about things as a footy club," Fagan said.
"I reckon we just drifted away from the things that really matter to us.
"It was a good chance to have a discussion with the group, and remind each other what it looks like around here during the week and at training and on the field when we're at our best."
Fremantle achieved a club-record 10th-straight victory when they beat St Kilda by 30 points last week.
The Dockers haven't beaten Brisbane at the Gabba since 2016, but Saturday's match looms as a key moment for Fremantle as they attempt to further solidify their new-found premiership favouritism.
Fremantle have been boosted by the return of skipper Alex Pearce from a knee injury.
But Hayden Young will miss a third match in a row due to concussion, with fellow midfield star Caleb Serong (calf) also sidelined.
The Lions get Jarrod Berry (calf) and Noah Answerth (concussion) back from injury, while Cody Curtin has been handed a call-up following his four-goal haul in the VFL.
Sam Marshall, James Tunstill and Will McLachlan were all dropped following the heavy loss to GWS.
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