Brisbane’s defender Joel Patfull says the Lions are gearing up for another big game on their home turf against the Cats.

Going by last year’s battle in Round 13 and 23, Sunday’s clash is sure to be another nail-biter.

For the team’s first game in 2013, the Lions kicked a goal on the siren to take the win by five points. And on their second meeting, 10 Rounds later, the Cats just managed to curb the Lions with a dicey one point win.

“We had a few tight games against them - so I am sure they'll be fired up and ready to go,” Patfull told www.lions.com.au

“They probably owe us one up here. We're ready for a big game and looking forward to it.”

Patfull admits that the Lions will go into Sunday’s game with confidence, knowing that they can compete well against the Cats.  

"The fact we can match them," Patfull said.

"We can play good footy and we can compete and stick in the game when we need to.

"We got a bit of confidence out of the games we played against them last year."

However, the Lions realise that they have a perilous game ahead, as the Cats never make for an easy run.

"You've got to try and be physical and take the contest to those good teams," Patfull said.

"If you don't, they'll run over the top of you. It's a focus, we’ll train hard again today and we’ll take that into the weekend."

With Jimmy Bartel now working the Cats front-line, Patfull says he’ll have to increase his load as a defender, however, he knows Bartel is not the only dangerous Cat to watch out for up forward.

“I’m sure I will at some stage he was pretty slippery last week and he popped up out of the back and he was pretty dangerous so I’ll spend a bit of time on him and a few of their smalls…” Patfull said.

“And if Stevie Johnson spends time forward I'll probably spend a bit of time on him as well – but it’s hard to say they play a lot of players through that forward line so I could have a few roles for the day I think.”

Former Cat Trent West, who joined Brisbane through last year’s trade, knows exactly how the Cats like to operate and won’t hesitate to give his new teammates the inside word ahead of Sunday’s clash.

“They’re a good team - they played well (against the Crows),” West said after their Round 1 defeat to Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium.

“We’ll have to get back to Brissy and start to have a look at them - I’ll definitely help them where I can with inside info.”

The Cats and Lions will kick off Sunday’s battle at 12:10pm at Brisbane’s home ground the Gabba.