Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews says getting one over Collingwood president Eddie McGuire would make any victory over the Magpies even sweeter.

The top-of-the-table blockbuster at the Gabba on Thursday will be the first time the two teams have met since the Lions defeated Collingwood by nine points in the AFL grand final last year.

Since then, the clubs' administrations have battled off the field.

McGuire, along with Essendon counterpart Graeme McMahon, has repeatedly called on the AFL to strip the dual premiers of their 10 per cent salary cap allowance.

Sydney also gets an additional 15 per cent to cover the extra cost of living in the harbour city.

McGuire and McMahon claim it's unfair but Brisbane believe it's essential to ensure the Lions retain players and develop the game in a traditional rugby league state.

For Matthews, who has regularly defended the Lions' allowance, a win against the Magpies would be sweet.

"It's always good to beat Collingwood and Eddie being the president would make it a bit more enjoyable probably - one has to be honest," said Matthews, who coached the Magpies to the drought-breaking 1990 premiership.

But Matthews played down the effect of what he termed "politically posturing presidents" on on-field performances.

"They have a lot to do with their own egos and they get sated by their public politicking but I don't know if it has much to do with the teams," he said.

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