There will be distractions aplenty for the Brisbane Lions to avoid when they take on Sydney at the SCG on Saturday night.

The Swans will be farewelling premiership trio Michael O'Loughlin, Leo Barry and Jared Crouch, as well as honouring some of the club's all-time greats at halftime.

But the Lions also have their own reason to keep their minds focused - a home AFL final.

Brisbane have enjoyed a resurgent season under first-year coach Michael Voss in 2009, claiming 12 wins and a draw to surge back into September action.

And they will guarantee a Gabba final if they can get past the Swans at the SCG.

"No doubt they have had a massive build-up with three of their great players retiring," Lions midfielder Luke Power told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

"While we wish them all the best, we don't wish them all the best on Saturday night and we've got a home final on the line, so we've got a lot of incentive too."

Apart from having to overcome Sydney's strong motivation to send their stars out winners, Brisbane have also been hit by injuries to key position men Daniel Bradshaw (quad) and Daniel Merrett (hamstring).

Both sustained the injuries during last week's stirring comeback win over Port Adelaide.

A big crowd is expected at the SCG and the Lions are hoping to keep them quiet from the opening whistle with a fast start.

"It would be (ideal). It can definitely shut the crowd out of it early," Power said.

"That's something we'll be trying to do, shut the crowd out early and get ourselves off to a good start."

Sydney will miss the finals for the first time since 2002 as their era of success draws to a close.

But they want to do the right thing and play well for their retiring teammates.

"They are playing for a home final and the stakes are pretty high," Swans co-captain Craig Bolton said.

"While we're not playing for contention in finals, we've got a huge amount riding on this game and I can't remember a bigger build-up to a game where finals aren't an issue.

"We really want to have a win to send off the three retiring guys in the right fashion.

"The level of respect we hold for the three guys is so great that it's a must-win game for us."

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