THE BRISBANE Lions need to address their slow starts before they can bridge the gap between themselves and this year's finalists, according to coach Michael Voss.

The Lions conceded eight of the first nine goals against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday, but remarkably remained in the contest deep into the final quarter.

Midfielder Tom Rockliff said the players felt they were a "massive" chance of causing an upset when the margin was cut to 16 points 20 minutes into the last term.

Richmond held on, however, to cement their first finals appearance since 2001, and Voss said the Lions only had their tardy start to blame.

"We've got to be better than that for us to improve as a footy team," Voss said after the Lions only game at the MCG this season. 

"We've certainly looked at all different methods and just how we start the game and we've explored different ways of trying to keep the scoreboard in check, but it gets away from us and that's when you end up chasing.

"In the end we made it look hard at times."

The Lions were comfortably the better team after half time, kicking seven of the game's last 10 goals, but eventually falling 23 points short.

Their most damaging slump came in the first seven minutes of the second quarter when they registered just seven possessions as a team. 

The silver lining, according to Voss, was a courageous fightback led by Rockliff (34 disposals and five clearances), Pearce Hanley (24 and two goals) and Sam Mayes (three goals).     

"I think you've seen how dynamic this team can be and how breath-taking we are when we get genuine flow in our game," Voss said.

"But we've got to eliminate these eight-minute patches that are just catching us on the back foot.

"Last year it was almost quarters, so it was 30 minutes where it was like we hadn't even participated in the match, so that time is coming down.

"They know how to rally and pull things together, which was pleasing to see in the second half."