LAST week's practice match loss to Gold Coast was a "wake-up call" for Brisbane ahead of an important JLT Community Series, according to Charlie Cameron.

The Suns were more switched on from the start, kicking the game's first eight goals and running out 33-point victors.

And although Cameron said the Lions weren't putting too much stock into the performance, there are lessons to be learnt before playing Hawthorn at Burpengary on Sunday.

"Our intensity, energy leading up to the game wasn't up to the standard we want it to be," Cameron said.

"The way we started was not ideal, but it was a bit of a wake-up call going into the Hawthorn game."

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The Lions lost both of their JLT games in 2018, to Sydney and then to Gold Coast in wet conditions.

They then lost the opening eight games of the premiership season.

Cameron said the importance of playing good football during the pre-season competition had not been lost on the Lions.

"Last year we played a couple of rain games but this year hopefully it'll be dry so we can play our footy and set us up for round one, which is the key," he said.

"These games are important to build the synergy and chemistry.

"You want to win games. We'll take a lot of confidence out of winning games in the JLT."

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Cameron was one of the shining lights for Brisbane at the weekend, playing for the first time since rupturing the Lisfranc ligament in his foot midway through 2018.

He kicked two goals, missed a few others he should have kicked, and got better as the match wore on.

"It's been 206 days since I've played against an opponent, so it was good to get out there.

"I'll be better for it going into this weekend."