IN SOME ways, Brisbane's win over Melbourne last week was the ideal dress rehearsal for Sunday's showdown with Greater Western Sydney, says Lions coach Chris Fagan.

While the match at Giants Stadium constitutes a battle for a top-four position, Fagan said the "daunting task" was simply another opportunity for the Lions to assess their development.

Last Sunday, Brisbane smashed Melbourne around the contest 159-132 – a noted area of strength for the Demons – and will need to bring the same intensity against the Giants, Fagan said.

"They're (GWS) probably the best contested ball side going around," he said.

"We faced a team last week in Melbourne who are very, very good at that, but GWS are probably next level.

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"We passed last week's test, so it's another brilliant opportunity to see how we're going in that facet of our game.

"If you want to be a team that can compete and play well in finals, that's the key area. You've got to win the ball at the source and then play your way."

Fagan said he could not have imagined playing for a top-four spot this deep into the season, but was pleased with his team's play against fellow finalists to date.

The Lions have beaten top-eight outfits West Coast and Adelaide, while being beaten by Collingwood and Fremantle, via a Michael Walters kick after the siren.

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Fagan was quick to highlight the Giants' average winning margin of 74 points in matches at their Homebush headquarters this season, and following a last-start loss to Essendon, also illustrated the fact they hadn't lost successive matches in 2019.

Brisbane will be without Oscar McInerney after the ruckman failed to overcome concussion he received from last week's win, giving the coach a selection headache.

With the final 22 not finalised until late on Friday, Brisbane has included ruckman Archie Smith, along with Western Bulldogs recruit Marcus Adams and fellow key defender Josh Walker on its extended bench.

"Oscar's been a good player for us in the ruck and up forward and those long-down-the-line plays," Fagan said.

"Whoever takes his place will have to fulfill that role."

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