"PREMIERSHIP phase" is a mythical creature that lives outside the four walls of a football club. And every now and then, it has super powers to destroy any team that adopts it.

Talk of a premiership phase is like an illness that occurs when players let it penetrate their language and psyche, fast forwarding their minds to a place they may never see.

Its most fundamental property is that it presupposes one thing will happen — they will win a premiership. A very dangerous suggestion, with potent side-effects.

As you might guess, I've never liked this phrase. Not while I played anyway, because it doesn't exist.

Yes, some teams are more ready than others. Yes, some teams are better equipped to go the distance for a variety of reasons. But all they really have is a window of opportunity.

Even if a club goes undefeated throughout the year, with a percentage of 180, it has no advantage, come preliminary final weekend. Then it's just four teams and the scoreboard reads nil-all. The playing field is level, and it's about the best team on the day.

Some teams that are not necessarily the best throughout the year can find themselves in a grand final.

Alarm bells started ringing for me when my mythical creature crept into the language of Fremantle players about 18 months ago. It has been destructive, sparing no one.

One place where I know this phrase will never penetrate is the Brisbane Lions, despite mounting external influences on the side and a chorus beginning to zero in on the capabilities of its players.

Let me assure you of one thing: as much as Leigh Matthews is insisting otherwise, the Lions are in that window of opportunity phase. And they know it.

The decision to trade for 27-year-old Travis Johnstone last November is undeniable proof. Otherwise they would not have given up a first-round draft pick for a player who won't be at the club in five years.

The Lions will play in the 2008 finals. The top eight is just about set.

Leigh is looking at a 7-4 start if his side can beat the poorly performing Dockers at the Gabba on Sunday, and after a tough draw, that's an enormous result.

The club will be overjoyed and, as I'd expect, he's doing his best to hose down the speculation.

But it's my job to call it as I see it. And I've seen enough of the Lions to reasonably believe they are in the mix. The window.

They've still got a strong nucleus of players at the peak of their form.

Jonathan Brown, Simon Black, Luke Power, Nigel Lappin, Daniel Bradshaw, Jamie Charman and Tim Notting are proven premiership players.

Moreover, while they've been regrouping over the three years, rebuilding after four consecutive grand finals, the Lions have assembled a quality bunch of support players.

They've got a midfield led by Black, Power and Lappin (when fit) that will take some beating. They've got a potent double-act forward in Brown and Bradshaw.

And they've got a defensive group working beautifully together.

That's the key. Their back six is doing the job superbly.

Daniel Merrett, an inconsistent full-forward two years ago, and Joel Patfull, a discarded Port Adelaide rookie, have filled the key defensive posts far beyond expectation.

Patfull has really surprised me. At 190 centimetres, he has been able to shut down some of the game's biggest and best opponents at centre half-back while also taking on some of the more dangerous medium-sizers.

That he has Josh Drummond, one of the most lethal kicks in the side, beside him helps enormously. Likewise, the career-best form of Joel Macdonald, the run of Jason Roe and the experience of Ash McGrath, another premiership player.

The Brisbane defence will be put under increasing pressure as opposition coaches challenge their structure, trying to lure Merrett from the last line and testing Macdonald closer to goal. But they are well-equipped to cope.

Also, opposition teams still have to stop the dominance of the Brisbane midfield. Not easy. Having added Jed Adcock, an emerging star, and Johnstone, an experienced hand, the midfield nucleus looks thicker by the week.

The emergence of Anthony Corrie as a quality-plus small forward/wingman is another strength.

The same can be said for others, but it's the core that determines a window of opportunity. And Brisbane's core is all quality.

They are still to prove they can beat the likes of Geelong, Hawthorn, the Bulldogs and Sydney, but the quality is undeniable, and after they've finished 11th, 13th and 10th, the past three years, the finals will not be a massive step because of the already strong presence of premiership players.