Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan admits his side's season is hanging in the balance after they lost a fifth-straight match to bogey team Hawthorn.
Last year's grand finalists will lick their wounds during the mid-season bye after suffering a 25-point defeat to the Hawks at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
The result leaves the Lions reeling, with a 4-1-6 record leaving them 12th on the ladder ahead of a return to Marvel Stadium to face the Western Bulldogs in 12 days' time.
Brisbane have played finals during the past five seasons, and last September fell just four points short of winning their first premiership since 2003.
But the first half of 2024 has been a disaster for the Queensland club, as a lengthy injury list has added to inconsistent form from top-liners including Charlie Cameron.
"This is a bit of a unique situation for us," Fagan said.
"We haven't been in it for five years, but here we are - our season's hanging well and truly in the balance.
"Whatever happens in the long run, it'll be good for us as a footy club, as a team, to try and fight through it."
Fagan referenced Greater Western Sydney and Carlton, who both made a preliminary final last season after a similarly poor start to 2023.
The Lions have five players - Will Ashcroft, Keidean Coleman, Tom Doedee, Lincoln McCarthy and Darcy Gardiner - sidelined with long-term knee injuries.
Only Ashcroft will return this season.
"The competition's that tight this year, you can't afford to get too downhearted about results," Fagan said.
"You've just got to get yourself ready for the next game and start again.
"We've had some really good moments this year, and we've had some games where we've been disappointed with ourselves.
"We'll just keep working to try and get our consistency back."
