FOR ALL the Brisbane Lions' inaccuracy in the 37-point victory over the Kangaroos, one statistic told the real tale at the end of the night. Ninety-five tackles. It was a telling figure, and says more about the Lions' late season revival than perhaps any other.

After a soft period in the middle of the season, when they failed to win a game between rounds seven and 13, the Lions' defensive pressure has jumped off the scale.

Part of it has been the rise of Rhan Hooper, who earlier had his pay cut after leaving the Lions in the pre-season.

With or without the ball in his hands, he has been a revelation.

Jed Adcock, Michael Rischitelli and Robert Copeland are all tough nuts, too. "It's the only style that wins finals footy," Lions coach Leigh Matthews said as his side edged into the eight.

"You can't play well and not tackle well, no one can play well enough offensively to not tackle well.

"That's one of the building blocks of any good team performance and the last five weeks our tackling pressure has been exceptional."

Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley echoed Matthews' sentiments.

"The Lions played particularly well … their attack on the footy was extraordinary."

It is an amazing turnaround for a team that not so long ago looked as if it would struggle to win another game this season.

But with all of Brisbane's premiership weapons firing at once — along with the sudden improvement of Hooper, Jared Brennan and others — suddenly the Lions loom as a major headache for opposing coaches.

"That's why you win," Matthews said simply. "When we were losing, those same players weren't playing so well, that's why you win or lose."

One player in particular is peaking at the most opportune time.

"At the end of the day, Jonathan Brown's kicked six goals six (behinds)," Laidley said. "They had a forward who was potent on the night and we didn't.

"He could have kicked 10 or 15 goals. I thought Michael Firrito still did a pretty good job but look, he was a very good player tonight."

Ashley McGrath was the only bad news on the night for the Lions, leaving the ground in the third quarter with a suspected fractured wrist. The Kangaroos Glenn Archer was withdrawn from the selected side with a virus.

■Adelaide's hard-fought eight-point win against Port Adelaide last night has come at a price with Ken McGregor unlikely to play against league-leader Geelong at Skilled Stadium on Sunday.

He received a corked thigh, while Nathan Bock (groin), who was ruled out on Friday, and Ben Rutten (knee and calf) were rated at best 50-50 chances.

Port defender Michael Wilson appeared to receive a hamstring strain midway through the third quarter, and although he did not go back on the ground Port insisted it was merely cramp.

The Power also received a pre-match setback when Dean Brogan suffered a back spasm, and was replaced at the last minute by Greg Bentley.

With ASHLEY PORTER