Chris Fagan admits his Brisbane Lions' forwards have been put on notice after Darcy Fort's eye-catching cameo gave the AFL coach food for thought.
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The second-choice ruckman was used as a specialist forward against North Melbourne last weekend, with Fagan resting Jack Gunston and instead employing Joe Daniher as Oscar McInerney's back-up at stoppages.
Daniher dominated with five goals while Fort took six marks as the Lions racked up a club-record 33 marks inside 50 in a thumping defeat of the Kangaroos.
Gunston has been recalled at Fort's expense to face GWS in Canberra on Saturday but Fagan admitted it was a tough call on Fort.
"it's always hard to leave Darcy out," the coach said while lauding the 29-year-old's selflessness.
"Jack deserves to come back in, but the pressure's on all our forwards to perform because Darcy was really good last week."
The big win was another step forward for Brisbane, who began poorly in a round-one loss to Port Adelaide but have since beaten Melbourne and Collingwood.
"You never really feel settled in this competition," Fagan said of their 3-2 start.
"It probably is moving in the right direction, but I'm hesitant to say that."
Fagan admitted a focus against the Giants (2-3) would be limiting Toby Greene's influence, with Brandon Starcevich or Conor McKenna shaping as the men to curb the GWS captain.
"He's the guy that gets them going; kicks goals, creates goals, gets up into stoppages and causes chaos there as well," Fagan said.
"We've got to make sure we put a bit of work into him."
The Giants will be without midfielder Tom Green, who like Essendon skipper Zach Merrett and Collingwood vice-captain Taylor Adams was suspended for performing dangerous tackles.
Their punishments are a result of the AFL's crackdown on head contact and an increased focus on the effects of concussion in sport.
Australian Associated Press
