BRISBANE Lions coach Justin Leppitsch has suggested his team could be struggling with the speed of the game after copping an 82-point hiding from North Melbourne.
Leppitsch is looking for answers after the Lions slumped to 0-2 following a listless performance at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The coach lamented his team's struggles to win contested possessions, to limit North's outside runners, and to quickly adapt to the changing phases of the game.
He also said they overused the ball and gave away too many free kicks around stoppages.
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The past fortnight has been a harsh reality check for the Lions, who entered the season with optimism after a successful recruiting campaign.
Leppitsch acknowledged his team is lacking its renowned speed and flair through the middle.
"We're a bit shell-shocked in offense because we're doing a lot of defensive work, but we're not doing the defensive work that well. So we're caught in between a little bit. It is disappointing," he said.
"You've got to master all three phases (of the game) and you can't blink in between one to the other. You can't stop and stare if you have a nice kick – you've got another position to be in. We're just getting caught napping a little bit between phases of play.
"(There are) things we've done OK in the pre-season. Maybe you could argue that's because the pace was off the game and we could do it at a slower pace. Maybe that's it. Maybe the tempo's increased, but we have to learn how to do it."
Click here to watch Justin Leppitsch's full post-match media conference
Leppitsch highlighted that the Lions were beaten in contested possessions (143-119) and clearances (42-24) by a Kangaroos team that was "very good" on the day.
"When the ball was there to be won, we weren't. We (were) pretty good at that in the pre-season but that's two in a row where we haven't been," he said.
"The other part was stopping their uncontested possession, particularly handball receives, which showed our defensive part of our game wasn't quite there."
The Lions' lack of leadership also hurt with skipper Tom Rockliff and key defender Daniel Merrett sidelined.
Both were sorely missed, with Merrett's absence allowing Roos key forwards Jarrad Waite (seven goals), Ben Brown (three) and Drew Petrie (two) to cause headaches.
"We don't have a lot of leadership out there at the moment, so it was up to a few to turn it around," Leppitsch said.
"And it is difficult for our defenders too when you've got a couple of 20-year-olds, apart from 'Goose' (Matt Maguire), up against 30-year-olds that end up getting on the end of the really good work done up in the midfield.
"So poor old Justin Clarke and 'Paps' (Marco Paparone) get hung out to dry, don't they? Just have to learn those lessons."
However, Leppitsch reinforced his belief in his plan for the Lions.
"What we've shown is our game style can hold up. We've done it and we've won (pre-season) games this year with the current group," he said.
"Yes, we've lost a couple of players, but sometimes you lose a bit of confidence and you go back into what you want to do as opposed to what they right thing to do is for the team. We just have to keep promoting the team message with the boys."
Michael Close will have scans in the coming days after he injured in his left knee in the opening quarter and was substituted out of the match.
"I think he landed on the boundary line where they put that fake turf. I'm not sure if it's a reco or anything like that, but we'll find out," Leppitsch said.
