MASTER coach Leigh Matthews believes there's only one way for his young Lions to make the finals and that's to totally block out any thoughts of the post-season.

Matthews declared on Monday every part of each players' "mind, body, soul and fibre" needed to be devoted to winning Brisbane's last three fixtures, starting with Sydney on Saturday night.

"If we're thinking about finals, we won't make it," he said.

"It takes every bit of your mind, body, soul and your fibre just to get ready for each game and that's why no part of your being can be not into Saturday night against the Swans.

"Even if we do that we may not be good enough but if we don't do that we definitely won't be good enough."

Brisbane remain in eighth place despite their 24-point loss to Hawthorn on Saturday which ended a five-game winning streak.

But they face an intimidating run home with cut-throat clashes with Sydney (home), Adelaide (away) and Geelong (home).

The Lions may still sneak into the finals with two wins and a loss due to the tough draws also encountered by the five rival clubs sitting within two points.

At this point, Brisbane, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs (all 38), Adelaide, Fremantle and Essendon (36) appear to be chasing the eighth and last play-off berth as the nearest teams - Collingwood and Sydney (44) - hold a six-point advantage.

Adding to the intrigue is the fact only the out-of-form Bombers have more than one game against bottom three teams Melbourne, Carlton and Richmond.

Matthews is only interested in the fact his side is in control of its own destiny and doesn't want any players contemplating the finals permutations.

"I'm not holding great store in the finals to be honest, it's not a big issue to me except we want to do it," he said.

"The Swans this week is all we've got any control over."

Brisbane face a tough task to end a six-match losing streak against the 2005 premiers at the Gabba with the rugged Swans peaking at the right time.

But Matthews feels his maturing team will provide a more challenging obstacle to Sydney as most of his youngsters are "different", improved players.

"It's a good challenge for what I call a new team that's playing against them," he said.

"They've had (a) hold against our old team a bit in the last few years.

"A Daniel Merrett and Barry Hall they played on each other 15 weeks ago and Hall was just a bit too experienced and a bit too strong but 15 games later I think Daniel Merrett is a much better player."

A broken finger isn't expected to prevent ruckman Jamie Charman playing on Saturday night while Mitch Clark (buttock) and Marcus Allan (ankle) both sustained injuries in the Lions reserves.