Brisbane coach Chris Fagan is well aware that the pre-finals bye has assisted his club in welcoming back premiership midfield duo Lachie Neale and Jarrod Berry for Friday's qualifying final against Geelong.
But that still doesn't mean he's a fan of the week off.
The AFL introduced the pre-finals bye ahead of the 2016 season, and proved to be useful for the emotionally-charged Western Bulldogs outfit, who welcomed back key players to secure a drought-breaking premiership from seventh.
The Lions will have to do it from third, but the premise of giving stars more time to recover for the finals is evident.
However, Fagan was adamant that it was no advantage to the top four sides who earned the right of a double chance.
"The week off has helped us this year, but I am not a fan of the week off," Fagan said.
"I've always said that I wasn't. I think it takes away the advantage of the top four teams get for finishing top four. Everyone gets a week off.
"Normally, you don't have a week off; the top four teams play, get another week off.
"I'm more of a fan of having a week off before the grand final. Blokes who might have little injuries can get themselves right to play.
"I'd rather see that disappear, even though it did help us this year.
"I'd rather have the week off before the grand final," he said.
"Do all the celebratory things like the Brownlow, All-Australians. If you want to have an All-Star game, you can do that.
"If somebody is unfortunate enough to get a concussion in a preliminary final, they've got enough time to recover to play in a grand final.
"For me, it makes sense. Have a week of celebrating football and then go into grand final week."
Fagan acknowledged there would be "hard calls" following the return of Neale and Berry to the senior line-up.
Sam Marshall and Bruce Reville pose as the unlucky ones for the Cats clash, despite playing strong football in recent weeks.
Oscar McInerney will also be named as an emergency, with Fagan saying, "it's a close call" between him and Darcy Fort.
