The veteran defender endured some painful finals losses before Alastair Clarkson's team embarked on a flag three-peat between 2013 and 2015.

Birchall's new Brisbane teammates will be hoping he passes on some of that experience after his move north during the off-season.

The Lions are coming off their best campaign in a decade, but two straight September defeats ended the year on a sour note after finishing the home-and-away season in second.

It is something Birchall can relate to.

Following Hawthorn's 2008 grand final upset of Geelong, the Hawks lost a thrilling preliminary final to Collingwood in 2011 and went down to Sydney by 10 points in a classic 2012 decider when heavy favourites.

"Early days at the Hawks we actually lost some close finals as well," Birchall told reporters.

"I know what it's like to lose close finals, so it can only get the team stronger and closer together.

"As long as we grow and learn from it, I can see it as a real positive."

The 248-gamer heading up to Brisbane continues the strong Hawthorn link at the Lions.

But the 31-year-old said he is far from a replacement for retired legend Luke Hodge in Brisbane's back-six.

"I'll play higher up the ground and play to my strengths and help lead and try and help the team take that next step," Birchall said.

"Luke's one of the best leaders the game has ever seen, so I'm no Luke Hodge. I will play my way and lead where I can."

After playing just eight games in the last three seasons, the injury-plagued Birchall doesn't plan on resting for matches this year unless coach Chris Fagan says so.

"The last couple of years have been pretty tough on the body so I thought a fresh start up in the sunshine would do me the world of good," Birchall said.

"The body is feeling good; just trying to get strong and resilient again."

Birchall won't have to wait long to face his former team, with Brisbane travelling to the MCG to play Hawthorn in round one.

Australian Associated Press