The Brisbane Lions currently sit five games (and considerable percentage) outside the top eight, with just seven matches remaining.

So while they’re still a (very remote) ‘mathematical possibility’ of playing Finals, the players and coaches are smart enough to know that September is out of their reach.

But two-time Club Champion Joel Patfull says the Lions still have plenty to play for in the final two months of the season.

“We’ve just got to focus on improving and playing to our game plan and team structures, and probably getting games into our young players as well and helping them improve,” Patfull said on Tuesday.

“We need to set ourselves up for next year.”

With Finals not in their sights, the Lions have instead set themselves some new goals to achieve before the end of the season.

“We’ve had a bit of a goal in the last seven weeks with our win/loss record. We’re 3-3 at the moment, so it’s a big week for us this week. We want to win this week and try to get on the positive side of that ledger,” Patfull said.

“It’s hard to look for little wins. So it was a little goal that we could set our sights on and work towards that.”

Patfull also said the mood around the Club remained upbeat and positive – largely due to the enthusiasm shown by some of the younger players.

“The young guys have been bringing that (enthusiasm), and when they come in, they’ve been playing good footy and setting the standard really,” he said.