According to Brisbane Lions veteran Luke Power, there are now two great AFL teams in Queensland.

"The Brisbane Lions and the Brisbane Lions reserves," he said in Brisbane on Tuesday.

Power, 30, reckons the Lions want to build their AFL rivalry with newcomers Gold Coast Suns into one that parallels soccer's Celtic-Rangers and Everton-Liverpool.

And he definitely did his best to stoke it up with his cheeky dig at the 2011 debutants.

"We want to make it into a derby, we want to make it into a great rivalry," said the 12-year Lions stalwart.

"Look at soccer there's Celtic-Rangers, and Everton-Liverpool, the other night Tottenham played Arsenal.

"We want to build that in our game.

"Why not the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns?"

While Power had his tongue firmly planted in cheek with his crack at the Suns, he was deadly serious when he spoke about the impact of Michael Rischitelli and X-factor Jared Brennan's defection to the Gold Coast.

"It definitely hurts the club," Power said.

"They are our next group of leaders.

"Those blokes were hopefully going to be the ones who were going to lead the club and drive them forward - they were good people to have around the club.

"I certainly don't knock them for what they have done.

"They have been given a great opportunity but when we play against them they will be Gold Coast Suns players."

Power returned to training with the Lions this week along with Jonathan Brown and Simon Black clearly motivated to make amends after writing off 2010.

A season after making the finals, the Lions began well with four straight wins - only to finish 13th with a woeful 3-15 finish.

Power admitted the Lions could not have timed their horror year any worse with the Suns on the horizon.

"It was definitely something we were aware of last year (support growing for the Suns imminent debut)," Power said.

"While we weren't thinking about it week in week out, it definitely has been on our minds.

"It wasn't the greatest result but we are a proud club.

"We have a great history and we are looking to turn it around."

The Lions' shocker has fuelled Power's passion, though.

He reportedly halved his annual pay check when he recently re-signed for another year along with Black.

Power joked that he had a few second thoughts when he returned to the training paddock this week.

But asked if it was his last year, Power said: "You are a long time retired, you definitely want to play and be involved for as long as you can.

"(And) to get back out, play some good footy and get the club back to where it should be is definitely something that is driving the group."

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