JUST like a counterpunching boxer, Michael Voss wants to see just how much pressure his Brisbane Lions can absorb before landing a few blows of their own against the Swans on Sunday.
The Swans have dominated their northern rivals in the past decade, winning 13 of the past 16 matches, and the Lions coach said there was no simple way around beating the premiers.
With Pearce Hanley back from suspension, the Lions have some midfield punch to add to the team that beat Melbourne by 28 points last weekend.
Voss said he was acutely aware of the Swans' ability, but was looking forward to matching them head on.
"Of course we'll look at Sydney, we know what they do and what their weapons are, but we have to get a number of things in place (ourselves)," Voss said.
"That time and space is going to be taken away from us this week, so we have to make sure we can handle that and build our game from there.
"All we can do is make sure we provide a contest and that's where it starts.
"The ability to absorb that pressure they can put on and then build our game … be able to stand there and take the blows and return some fire."
Voss said although the 4-1 Swans had not dominated teams early in their premiership defence, he could see the traits that took them to last year's flag.
"They build their wins over the course of four quarters … that's how you want to build your games and that's what they've done," he said.
"For us it's about having that same commitment and attitude and being prepared to go the distance and mentally preparing for that."
It appears as though the Lions will play without superstar midfielder Simon Black.
Black seems certain to have a third successive week in the reserves, starting in Sydney at 9.30am on Sunday, as he continues to return from pre-season knee surgery.
Voss said he would assess things later on Thursday, but was more inclined to be cautious and unleash Black in round seven against West Coast.
"We'd probably like to see him play a full game, and he hasn't quite done that yet," Voss said.
"We know how important he is to us and we'd love him in the football team, there's no question on that.
"We're pretty committed to getting 15, 16 quality games out of him for the rest of the season, so we just don't want to pull the trigger too early and if that means waiting another week, we will."
Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting
