DESPITE losing nine of their first 10 games, young Brisbane Lions defender Dan McStay says the club’s playing group is "as tight as ever". 

McStay said team unity was better than previous years, conceding there was tension among players during a disastrous 2015 in which they barely avoided the wooden spoon with just four wins. 

But with a similar plight staring them in the face this year, the 20-year-old was quick to defend his club on Tuesday. 

Rockliff a certain starter this week

"The external (perception) is we're a bit of a rabble at the moment, but in the four walls I think we're holding together pretty well," McStay said. 

"It's definitely been better than previous years.

"Last year when we were losing a lot there was a little bit of tension in the group, but this year it's definitely a lot better.

"We're as tight as ever.

"Whether we're winning, losing or drawing, we're really staying tight as a group and will keep trying to fight and get the wins later in the year." 

After a torrid early-season draw, things open up a fraction for the Lions in coming weeks, although Saturday's match against in-form Carlton looks three times more difficult than it did at the start of the year. 

McStay said after testing Hawthorn for more than three quarters on Saturday, the formula for the Lions to push the Blues was simple.

"We've got to make sure our midfielders get that contested ball right," he said. 

"I think when we're winning contested ball and getting the pressure up, we can match it with the best like we did on the weekend.

"When we to drop away from that intensity and show a lack of effort is when the wheels start falling off. 

"I think when we're up and going, we can match it with any team." 

The Lions will welcome Tom Rockliff back into the team after the skipper missed three weeks with a hamstring injury.