THE BRISBANE Lions' desire to recruit a quality key forward became even more apparent after losing to the Sydney Swans on Sunday night.
Despite matching strides with one of the competition's best in most statistical areas, there was one gaping difference in the 21-point defeat.
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Swans superstars Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett kicked three goals apiece, while the Lions' key forwards kicked none between them.
Lions coach Justin Leppitsch again lamented the lack of a focal point in his forward 50.
"If you look at it simplistically, their big boys kicked six (goals), ours kicked none," Leppitsch said.
"If we have a nice big, solid target, it can fill the team with a lot more confidence too.
"We've got three there. We've got a veteran in Stakes (Brent Staker) and two young boys (Dan McStay and Jordon Bourke), but no-one yet that has been able to take the game on and deliver consistency for us in that part of the field."
The Lions have a stack of space in their salary cap and have been linked to out-of-contract Gold Coast spearhead Charlie Dixon.
They are also currently last on the ladder and in prime position for a high-end draft pick that could land them highly-touted young forward Josh Schache.
Leppitsch said it wasn't just the Swans result that proved to him they were still light-on for quality in the forward 50.
"I could probably show you 14 other games to show we're crying out for a key forward as well," he said.
"This isn't on its own."
Young key position players Michael Close (knee) and Jono Freeman (glute and ankle) have been plagued by injury and played just two games between them this season.
Leppitsch said he was pleased with the Lions' effort, but they had to work on their method of taking the ball forward.
Rugged young defender Darcy Gardiner dislocated his shoulder early in the match and could miss the rest of the season.
"If the doctors decide to put him in for surgery that's his season done, but sometimes they rehab these things and continue on," Leppitsch said.
"I have a feeling though it's the second time it's happened, so they tend to put them in. It's a bit early to call, but that's the process of the two outcomes."
