WITH only percentage keeping them away from the dreaded wooden spoon, Michael Voss said the Brisbane Lions were taking their eyes off the outcome ahead of Sunday's match against fellow strugglers Port Adelaide.

While Voss admitted it was hard to not think about the result, he said the Lions were breaking the contest down to the sum of its parts.

Both teams have a 2-11 record and sit just above the first year Gold Coast outfit.

"It's hard not to look at it that way," Voss said when asked of the expectation to beat the Power.

"At the same time, we've looked at some other team scoreboard things we want to get done and we've got to achieve them first.

"We've shifted our focus from the outcome to getting the little things right and we have to bring our A game in terms of defensive pressure and putting pressure on the opposition, and unless we get that, there's no way we'll be in a position to win the game. "

The Lions will welcome back vice-captain and backline general Jed Adcock after two weeks on the sidelines with a broken finger, but Voss said fullback Daniel Merrett (back stress fractures) was unlikely to return this season.

He said there should be a natural expectation to beat the Power but the Lions had let themselves down this season by not capitalising on chances to win.

"We've put ourselves in positions to win but the fact is, we haven't been able to close the deal," he said.

"You can't get around that pressure. We need to look through the scoreboard and get the things done we need to do.

"This group is a very proud group and they want to finish [the season] very strong. That involves getting wins on the board.

"Our training intensity hasn't changed and that's the one thing I've been really impressed with. I can't fault their intensity, can't fault their approach, but when it comes to the weekend, we've got to make sure we go all the way and that's been that last little step we have to take to get the results in our favour."

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mike_whiting