Brisbane\u2019s dip in form isn\u2019t the only reason Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is wary of the wounded Lions at the Gabba on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The top-of-table Dockers head into the contest full of confidence after 10 successive wins.<\/p>\n
In contrast, the Lions have suffered back-to-back defeats, including an embarrassing 78-point loss to the GWS Giants last Sunday.<\/p>\n
However, Longmuir isn\u2019t underestimating the reigning premiers, who have won six of their 11 matches this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know if the weekend makes me any more wary \u2013 I\u2019m wary of them anytime,\u201d the Fremantle mentor said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey beat us last year here (in Perth), they\u2019ve shown this year already why they\u2019re the reigning premiers, they\u2019ve played some really good footy across the course of the year and I expect them to be at their best.\u201d<\/p>\n
Longmuir said the Lions conceding goals in a horror third quarter against the Giants was an \u201canomaly\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t prepare our players (with that in mind). I just prepare for the trends more than an anomaly like that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some trends there that we see as real threats, and we see some opportunities. It\u2019s a great challenge for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Lions will be boosted on Saturday by the returns of Jarrod Berry and Noah Answerth from respective calf and concussion issues.<\/p>\n
Brisbane utility Conor McKenna said the Lions would benefit from the \u201cteam-first mentality\u201d of midfielder Berry and defender Answerth.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll bring probably exactly what we need to the team this weekend \u2013 put their roles ahead of their personal quests,\u201d McKenna said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had a disappointing few weeks, so we\u2019re just trying to get back on track, play the game we know we can play, get a result and just perform for four quarters.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Lions are still without stalwart Dayne Zorko, who is facing up to six more weeks on the sidelines with a quad injury.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a concern, but he is 37 years of age, so maybe that\u2019s got something to do with it,\u201d Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said.<\/p>\n