Similar conversations have taken place in both camps as Gold Coast convince themselves two-time premiers Brisbane are no spent force and the Lions try to get their groove back.

The rivals meet in a Saturday QClash for the first time since Chris Fagan's side rolled past the Suns in the second week of last year's AFL finals series.

They then marched to a second straight flag but, after moving to 6-3 this season, they have struggled in a trio of losses that's left them ninth and looking for answers.

"While people will say that they might be a football club on their knees, we ... know what a formidable opponent we're coming up against," Suns coach Damien Hardwick said on Thursday.

Brisbane were exposed by Geelong and then destroyed in a historic third quarter by GWS, before hanging in against Fremantle on Saturday at the Gabba in what became the Dockers' 11th straight win.

"People sort of look at them (as) on the decline, talk about it and all this sort of stuff," Hardwick said.

"We analyse the game to an inch of its death (sic) and I reckon if you took the scoreboard out of it, I reckon Chris Fagan would be reasonably happy with what that game (against the Dockers) looked like."

Hardwick reckoned correctly.

"Training was bright and bubbly ... we actually thought there were a lot of positives out of that game (and we are) trending back in the right direction," Fagan told reporters at Springfield on Thursday.

Brisbane's premiership credentials were questioned, and then emphatically answered, at various points in the past two seasons.

Fagan said there was "no one fix", but that the key was not to over-complicate the message.

"We're trying to build our confidence back up ... that's been down," he said.

"So keeping everything simple, players have a narrow focus on their strengths and us playing with a bit more freedom.

"Simplicity gives you energy, that's been our approach for sure."

The Suns will debut Gold Coast junior Jai Murray against the Lions, while key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (ankle) will return at VFL level.