DAYNE Zorko expects childhood mate Dayne Beams to be playing at a sold-out Gabba on Thursday night when Brisbane host Collingwood.

Beams was a late withdrawal from the Magpies' win over the Western Bulldogs last Friday night and is in doubt to play his former club. 

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Speaking on Monday afternoon, Zorko said Brisbane couldn't concern itself with the availability of the former skipper. 

"I expect him to be out there," Zorko said.

"I'm not quite sure what happened on the weekend and why he pulled out.

"Collingwood is a fantastic side, they've got a really good midfield … so many great names.

"It would be foolish for us to focus on just one player, even though he's got history at the club.

"It's really important we focus on their full team and not just one player."

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Zorko put the onus on his team's midfield after a poor showing in Saturday's 47-point loss to Essendon.

Brisbane lost the contested possessions (158-131), clearances (37-35) and even more worryingly let the Bombers use their speed on the outside at will. 

The result was Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti kicking seven goals and making light work of an under-siege Lions defence.

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Just seven days earlier, lightning quick Port Adelaide draftee Connor Rozee lit up the Lions with five goals. 

Facing a Magpies team with a deep midfield and versatile forward line that includes Jordan de Goey, Jamie Elliott, Jaidyn Stephenson and Josh Thomas, Zorko said the mids had to lock down. 

"The job as a midfield is to make it a lot easier for our defenders and the past two weeks we haven't been able to do that," he said. 

"We've had no pressure on the ball in and around the contest, which exposes our backline. 

"It's up to the midfield and forwards to apply that pressure and make the ball come back to suit our defenders and we haven't been able to do that."

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