Chris Fagan will let you know after the game if the Brisbane Lions' AFL bye came at the right time.
The Lions face Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday, well rested after a weekend off following a loss to Adelaide that snapped a seven-game winning streak.
Brisbane (8-3) dropped to fourth as a result but there were no alarm bells ringing at their Springfield base this week.
"There was nothing wrong with our effort against Adelaide," Fagan said on Thursday.
"We just didn't finish our work off in front of goals and we slipped over too much on the ground.
"When you analyse the game, we pretty much won every statistical area.
"So I'm not sure we were ready for a bye, I never do know. I guess if we win this weekend I'll say yeah we were, but if we lose I'll say we didn't need it."
Classy defender Keidean Coleman was the surprise omission from Fagan's 22 named on Thursday.
Coleman, one of the Lions' best kicks coming out of defensive 50 had played 10 games this season and has been a mainstay over the past three years.
Dev Robertson and Jaxon Prior have been recalled, with former captain Dayne Zorko suspended.
Key defender Jack Payne has proved he's ready to return from a concussion.
Fagan has chosen Darcy Gardiner over Ryan Lester to partner Payne and Harris Andrews at the back.
"It's a difficult decision to make between Darcy Gardiner and Ryan Lester," Fagan said.
"It's a nice problem to have."
The Hawks, barring last week's horror first half against Port Adelaide, have found some form in recent weeks and have won their last three games against Brisbane.
Sam Mitchell’s side will be boosted by the return of their captain James Sicily from suspension.
"We had a run of (four) wins against them ... they've won the last three," Fagan said.
"It's difficult to know (why) ... it's spread out over a long period of time, but it's irrelevant.
"We're a different team, they're a different team now.
"We look forward to breaking that little string of victories they've had."
