This time Jonathan Brown's body language sent a very different message - the Brisbane Lions skipper is back.

A week after appearing troubled by the AFL's most talked-about abdominal strain, the Lions leader looked like the Brown of old as he inspired a shock eight-point win over bitter AFL rivals Collingwood on Saturday night.

Brown's trademark - pointing skyward after kicking a telling goal - returned as he booted four majors, combining brilliantly with Brendan Fevola (four goals) at the Gabba.

Afterwards, Lions coach Michael Voss conceded for the first time that Brown was not 100 per cent.

But after watching his captain help snap their five-game losing run, clearly their fitness program is on the right track.

"He has been on a maintenance program for the last few weeks and he is coming through that," Voss said.

"I think he knows he has to give attention to detail to make sure that in a couple of weeks he is 100 per cent.

"He certainly made a positive step in the right direction in terms of his body (against Collingwood) - I think you saw that."

Brown went goal-less last round against the Crows after spending a week with an Adelaide specialist, prompting leading sports doctor Peter Larkins on Sunday to claim the former Coleman Medallist risked being struck down by career-threatening osteitis pubis if he did not take a break.

And there were times when Brown appeared to still be hampered - he raised eyebrows when his usually booming boot dismally failed to reach the distance on a 45m set shot.

But just as he had stressed following Brown's shocker against Adelaide, Voss said body language sometimes didn't always tell the whole story.

"You have to be careful how much you read into things," Voss said.

"I know it sounds unusual, but every now and again he might miss from 45m.

"We have to acknowledge that. But he's on a program but enough has been talked about that." Magpies coach Mick Malthouse didn't sound surprised that Brown had helped haul the Lions over the line.

"When you've got Brown as the captain and (Simon) Black the Brownlow medallist ... they're always going to grab a hold of their blokes and take them over the line," he said.

Brown's fourth major from a 55m set shot cut the deficit to just three points midway in the final term.

And fittingly, when Luke Power - celebrating his 250th game - goaled on the run minutes later, the Lions had grabbed the lead for the first time.

In the end, the Lions (5-5 record) kicked seven of the last nine goals to over-run the Pies and get their season back on track.

Their run was capped by Fevola, who came alive in the second half.

Kept to one kick in the first half, Fevola banged in two majors in a minute - including an incredible overhead snap - in the third term to help cut a game-high 20 point deficit to just three by the final break.

He helped himself to another two in the fourth - including the late matchwinner.

"To get the win is a big one in the context of the season," Voss said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP