Footage from last weekend has provided the Brisbane Lions new-found belief that they can beat Geelong at the Gabba on Saturday night.

But it hasn't been vision of last round's 48-point AFL loss to Port Adelaide that has given the Lions confidence.

Lions vice-captain Daniel Merrett said the whole team had a spring in their step after witnessing St Kilda's six-point win over Geelong last Sunday.

He said it provided a timely blueprint for success against a team still considered the AFL's benchmark despite the thrilling loss to the undefeated Saints.

"All the guys sat down and watched that game and the pressure around the ball (from St Kilda) was something that stood out," Merrett said at Brisbane on Tuesday.

"And when we are playing well that's what we are good at. We do take a lot of confidence out of that - it gives us faith."

Not that the Lions needed much motivation ahead of the Cats clash.

Brisbane (8-6 record) did a lot of soul searching after they were thrashed by 93-points at a freezing Skilled Stadium in round five - they have won six of nine games since to threaten the top five.

"We are a much more mature group since we went down there - it will be another great test but the group is up for it," Merrett said.

"This is a massive game. We have them on our turf now.

"We tested the Saints (in a 16-point, round nine loss) and I am sure we can test the Cats at home."

As far as they have come since the Geelong debacle, the Lions are smarting once again after being overrun by Port last round - a loss compounded by Jared Brennan's one-game suspension for headbutting Josh Carr.

After the team reviewed the game on Monday, Merrett reckoned a brain snap did prove the turning point of the match - but it had nothing to do with Brennan.

Merrett beat up on himself for an errant handball to Robbie Gray that led to an easy goal in the final term, then the floodgates opened for Port.

"It is always tough to look back and a few efforts personally I did weren't acceptable," he said.

"It was a pretty bad mistake at the time. It probably got the ball rolling for them.

"I will be working hard on my handballs this week."

Merrett said it would probably take Brennan "a few days" to get over his brain explosion.

"I think everyone was surprised (by Brennan's actions). It was out of character for Jared, and obviously the tribunal has dealt with that," he said.

"After the game obviously he was a bit quiet, a bit remorseful.

"It will probably take him a few days to get over it."

Merrett expected to shift into defence and mark either Cameron Mooney or Tom Hawkins rather than help out in the ruck in Brennan's absence.

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