Brisbane's playing group "is on edge" following their fifth defeat of the season, with the Lions bracing for unforced selection changes as pressure mounts on the Queensland club.
Last Thursday's defeat to GWS has left the reigning grand finalists in 13th on the ladder with two wins to their season tally ahead of an enticing QClash with state rivals Gold Coast this weekend.
While Lions coach Chris Fagan continues to back his men, the playing group are under no assumption that their spot in the senior side is safe heading into Round 8.
Brisbane captain Harris Andrews admitted he and his teammates have fallen below the required standards over the course of the season's start, with Lions players "not sitting around happy with ourselves".
"There'd be plenty of blokes who would put their hand up and say they didn't play to the standard that they've set over the last couple of years," Andrews told media on Tuesday.
"Nobody is sitting around happy with themselves and feeling comfortable, everyone is on edge looking to get better.
"How that plays out... we'll just control what we can control, and that's by coming with a good attitude and learning.
"Players aren't taking liberties and just assuming they're in the team each week. Guys are getting to work, and their form might not necessarily be what it wants to be, but we're certainly not sitting around happy with ourselves."
While Fagan's side are struggling to keep themselves in premiership contention, Brisbane's VFL squad returned to form over the weekend with a close win against Southport.
Veteran midfielder Jarryd Lyons featured among the Lions' best in the victory over the Sharks, while off-season recruit Bruce Reville and young pair Harry Sharp and Henry Smith were also standouts.
At a time where the club's senior players aren't performing, those with an eye on selection this week are "feeling a little bit of pressure" from those pressing their case from underneath.
Andrews stated any responsive selection changes will only open the door for eager fringe players to make their case with new opportunities.
"We're always looking to get new guys involved in the team. We've been pretty lucky from an injury standpoint, over the last couple of years we haven't had to rotate a lot of guys in and out," the Lions co-captain added.
"But we have shown when guys come into the team, young guys like Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher, they've been able to make an instant impact.
"Our VFL program has been run very well by Ben Hudson, particularly the start of this year. I went down to Southport and watched the boys have a great win.
"There was a lot of young guys putting their hand up. That's really positive to see as a playing group, to see that performance go well and the continued development of those young guys.
"It's really encouraging, and you do feel confident that if they come in they'll play their role.
"When you're not playing particularly well as a team... everyone is feeling a little bit of pressure. That's only going to drive us to get better."
Brisbane host the Gold Coast Suns at the Gabba on Sunday at 7:10pm (AEST) to close Round 8.
