ON THE EVE of a major playing milestone, Brisbane co-captain Luke Power said he could not be happier in the Lions' den.

Speaking ahead of his 200th match against Hawthorn at the Gabba on Saturday night, Power admitted there were times in his long career when he considered going back to play in his home state of Victoria.

However with 11 years' service, three premierships and All-Australian selection among a long list of achievements, loyalty won out for the workaholic midfielder.

"There was (a tough decision) at one stage," Power said. "It was a family thing and whether I wanted to pursue my football in Melbourne where my family was or stay up here and play where I always played.

"At the time I really wanted to be part of Brisbane's next wave of success and hopefully at the moment we're on the verge of that."

Playing with a young list on the improve, Power said he was looking forward to the next three years on his contract before worrying what he would do after that.

And that starts with his 200th match against red-hot competition pacesetters Hawthorn.

The 28-year-old said he was proud of the individual achievement but said there was no doubt the premierships from 2001 to 2003 stand out as career highlights.

"It's (200 games) an achievement I'm very proud of," he said.

"I've been here 11 years and played at the one club and I guess the players who have played AFL footy and played 200 games; there's a lot of great players on that list.

"It's magnificent to be considered up there with them in that category.

"As a child that's what you dream of doing – playing on the MCG and playing in front of 100,000 people and winning a premiership. Luckily I've been part of three of them so that's three times what you dream of."

But the Hawks, who have started the season with a bang by winning their first four games, pose a whole new challenge at the weekend.

Power said there was no chance of a let down after the come-from-behind win against Port Adelaide last week, and believed the Lions had the firepower to stop Hawthorn spearhead Lance Franklin.

"It's very difficult. How do you stop a guy who's six foot six, can run like the clappers and can run all day?

"It'll be a tough one but we have some key defenders who we think will do the job pretty admirably and Joel Patful and Daniel Merrett have put their hands up and I'm sure they'll do a good job."