MERCURIAL Brisbane Lions forward Jared Brennan thrilled fans and family members when he spearheaded his team’s 93-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night.

On his 23rd birthday, Brennan turned it on at the home of footy: He took 10 marks and booted 7.5, including five first-half goals to set up the Lions’ win as he proved a nightmare match-up for the Magpies' defence.

Speaking after the game, Brennan said he had learned from his own stint in the back half earlier this season.

“I’ve played defence most of this year and I’ve played on some unbelievable forwards. You just learn so much from them,” Brennan said.

“The Tarrants, the Pavlichs, I played a bit on Buddy Franklin who moves around a bit, Koschitzke, so all of those players … you just try to take a bit from each one of them and use it when you play forward, which I’ve been doing a bit lately.”

Brennan said he was forced to rein in his natural attacking style when in defence, but the move closer to goal released the shackles.

“You can be more creative down in the forward line I think, whereas down back you’ve got to be more straight up and down,” he said.

“I suppose if you try to be creative [in defence] and it doesn’t turn out, you’re going to be dragged. Whereas, in the forward line, if you try and be creative and it doesn’t turn out, you’ve always got the [another chance].”

Brisbane dominated against Collingwood from go to whoa, with Brennan instrumental in establishing a nine-goal lead at the long break.

The man recruited from Southern Districts in the Northern Territory said the rare opportunity to play at the MCG – and have family and friends in audience – had brought out the best in him.

“This is my second time I’ve played on the 'G … it’s just unbelievable to play at the 'G,” he said.

“There’s no better place, I think, for football.”

Brennan said the Lions had not discussed the prospect of playing finals football in 2007 despite Saturday’s 22.17 (149) to 7.14 (56) win putting them right back in the picture for a top-eight position.

“We’re just thinking about the first 10 minutes of our game with the Kangaroos next week,” he said.