Magpies ready for fresh showdown with Lions attack

Collingwood have well and truly wiped last year's preliminary final heartbreak from their memories ahead of their latest blockbuster clash with Brisbane, says defender Isaac Quaynor.

The Magpies had their dreams of fresh silverware shattered in a 29-point defeat at the MCG in the penultimate week last year.

But Quaynor isn't looking back ahead of their rematch at the Gabba on Thursday.

"We move on now. I feel like we've got them once (in the 2023 grand final) and they've got us once at the end of the year," Quaynor told AAP following Collingwood's win over GWS last Friday night.

"And they're an incredible side. They've won two in a row, so they're the team to beat.

"So we've got to go out there and play our way.

"It's a bit of a box office game that one (on Easter Thursday). And we always compete really well."

Quaynor has frequently gone head-to-head with Lions dynamo Charlie Cameron but is ready to play on any of Brisbane's livewires.

With skipper Darcy Moore (hamstring) again sidelined, the Magpies' defence will have to rally and be at their best.

"I'm always down for whatever, but I'll probably play on a few of their small forwards," Quaynor said.

"Take your pick, honestly - Zac Bailey, Cam Rayner, Charlie Cameron - they're all all stars in their own right.

"So we'll definitely have our work cut out for ourselves."

Now 26, Quaynor has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, despite often playing as an undersized key back early on.

"I just want to keep building," the defender said.

"To be honest, I'm wary of not putting too many expectations on myself.

"I just want to kind of go out there and compete and do what I need to for the team and help us win, whether that's playing key or playing small defender. That's fine with me."

Quaynor also expects Dan Houston to keep building on a stellar start to his second season, in which he has averaged 26 disposals and become a key cog down back in Collingwood's 2-1 start to the season.

"He's been incredible this season," Quaynor said.

"His defensive stuff is so underrated. People don't talk about that. Obviously, he's a wizard with ball in hand, but his defensive stuff is incredible.

"I feel like that's something that he builds off, and then his offensive stuff comes off the back of it."

Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury (achilles tightness) skipped the trip north.

Brisbane (1-2) will again be without Harris Andrews (suspension) and Hugh McCluggage (calf), while Noah Answerth (concussion) and Darcy Gardiner (shoulder) are also sidelined.