Brisbane goal sneak Zac Bailey knows a win in Sydney can confirm the AFL credentials of a Lions side still searching for top gear.
The Lions improved to 5-1 this season with a comfortable defeat of Gold Coast on Saturday, Bailey starring with a career-high six goals.
In his fifth AFL season, the 22-year-old is shaping as a key difference maker as the Lions aim to build on three-straight top-four finishes.
Another tight loss in Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, where they haven't won since 2003, earlier this season was a missed chance for them to make a flag-hunting statement.
But against the Swans (5-1) at the SCG, a ground the Lions haven't won at since 2009, they have another opportunity.
Brisbane lost to Geelong there in 2020 and haven't played the Swans at the ground since 2017, but are 1-9 since 2003.
Bailey, part of the side that were stunned in a rare home loss at the Gabba to the Swans last year, hopes they can bring some life to the usually sleepy Sunday twilight timeslot.
"We haven't played our best footy, we're slowly building into that and just to match our game up against some of the best in the competition, we hope we can get the win and prove we're a top-four side," he said.
"Sydney just play really well there; they have a lot of great players in their team who are firing at the moment."
Coach Chris Fagan is well aware of Brisbane's SCG drought and Sydney's quality.
"That's a big test, big game," he said.
"They got us at the Gabba in round one last year and hopefully our boys haven't forgotten that and we'll try and get one back on them.
"The game comes at a good time for us.
"If you want to be any good in this comp you've got to win on the road. It's important to get those away wins."
The Lions on Tuesday confirmed a six-week recovery for rookie Jai Lohmann, who suffered a high ankle sprain, while Mitch Robinson (calf) could face the Swans and Eric Hipwood (knee) has pencilled in a round nine return.
Meanwhile, Will Ashcroft, the son of triple-premiership star Marcus, has returned to Brisbane from Melbourne to train and will play for the Lions' VFL team in Sydney.
The midfielder, who turns 18 next week, impressed while training with the Lions over summer and has dominated at NAB League level for the Sandringham Dragons this season.
The potential No.1 draft pick is yet to declare if he'll nominate as a father-son option to the Lions.
