BRISBANE Lions coach Michael Voss said Saturday night's first-half performance against the Sydney Swans was his club's worst this season.

The Lions trailed by as much as 78 points late in the second quarter and went into the sheds 72 points behind, dominated in every statistical category.

Voss said the problem was simple - the Lions simply could not get their hands on the ball.

The Swans led the disposal count 110-52 at quarter-time and the clearances 14-2 to set-up a match-winning 37-point lead.

"It certainly was (our worst) this year for sure," Voss said.

"If you're not getting your hands on the ball then you're going to have troubles.

"We tried a few different things but it was really plugging the dam wall. We were just outplayed, we couldn't get the ball. We were being completely dominated by a team.

"It's hard to execute a plan if you're not winning the ball. It was a principle 100 years ago and it still will be in 100 years time - you've got to win the footy and we didn't do that."

Voss said one saving grace was the Lions won the second half by seven points, but admitted that was wearing a very optimistic coach's hat.

Now sporting a 2-8 record, Voss said he did not feel let down by his players and said they were in it together.

"We've played a top eight side and they were clearly able to work us over.

"As a collective group, we all take ownership. It comes down to the cold hard facts, you've got to win the ball and we didn't do it and they were able to dominate possession and we were chasing backsides."

He said the Lions had been taught a lesson all over the ground, and it was one he hoped his players learned from.

Without pointing any fingers, Voss said everyone from third-gamer Josh Green to captain Jonathan Brown had to take responsibility.

"What we've got to do is use it as a definite lesson for ourselves," Voss said.

"(Bryce) Retzlaff and (Rohan) Bewick, (Sam) Sheldon, (Matt) Austin, (Tom) Collier, (Jesse) O'Brien, as well as our senior players, got a good lesson of exactly what is defensive pressure.

"They (Swans) don't give you much and they force you to play all the way and play every ball on its merits and we weren't able to absorb that."