Simon Black fears Charlie Cameron's wastefulness will be "costly" for the Brisbane Lions but thinks the veteran is the key to unlocking a new level for the defending AFL premiers.

Cameron has been kept goalless in three of seven games this season, his 8.13 haul an anomaly in a 12-year career averaging 1.6 goals for every behind.

Club great Black admits the 30-year-old's accuracy is a concern and that the same side that romped to last year's flag - two decades after he was part of the Lions' three-peat - will get "found out" if their patchy form continues.

"It's good he's still getting looks but he can certainly waste that ball, can't he," Black told AAP.

"It can cost you. A quality player getting the ball in his hands through ability and talent, but missing shots regularly ... that really hurts your team.

"You've got to have a level of accuracy. They've got lots of avenues to goal but he's got to find a way to be more consistent with his conversion.

"That worries me."

The Lions ranked last (41.6 per cent) in kicks retained in forward-50 entries before Sunday's game, when their star-studded midfield was beaten by North Melbourne's engine room.

There is no quick fix but Black thinks Cameron is central to the equation, particularly since the retirement of key forward Joe Daniher.

"Joey, based on results, hasn't been a big loss to this point but guys like him are pretty handy in the big finals as he showed (last season)," Black said.

"The small forward pressure up there is so important without Daniher's dominance in the air."

Brisbane will wear guernseys inspired by Callum Ah Chee's family history against Melbourne on Sunday as part of the AFL's Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Believing it's a mental issue, Black hopes the occasion will spark something inside Cameron.

"His ability to make good contact with the ball ... you see sometimes he's flat-out kicking a drop punt on goal, getting the ball anywhere near the goals, when he's such a skilled player," he said.

"That's his great challenge and (if solved) he can take the Lions to a new level.

"But the good thing is he's getting lots of looks."

Despite their struggles, the Lions have enjoyed their best start to a season as a merged club and occupy top spot on the ladder (7-1-1) after nine rounds.

"It's quite remarkable ... they're finding a way and it's stark from where they were last year (13th, 3-5-1) and is probably pretty scary for the competition, based on that," Black told AAP.

"They've been patchy over the journey ... they did it on grand final day last but over the course they've struggled for four-quarter efforts.

"It's hard to have in modern footy - momentum's a big thing - but Brisbane's allowing those things to happen a bit too regularly."

Black backed veteran Darcy Gardiner to retain his place in the remodelled forward line but thinks pressure from below will be inevitable.

Fit-again pair Keidean Coleman and Tom Doedee, as well as rookie forwards Ty Gallop and Will McLachlan, are pushing their case in the VFL.

"There's pressure coming and it's keeping guys on their toes," he said.

"Jaspa Fletcher, he's really stood up. He would have felt a bit of pressure and he's embraced it and elevated his game."