There’s no hiding from the fact that the Brisbane Lions haven’t travelled well so far this season.

But their opening quarters have been of particular concern.

In their three interstate trips – to Melbourne (twice) and Sydney – the Lions have conceded 18.15 (123) and kicked just 2.8 (20) in the first quarters alone.

The Lions haven’t been able to reel their opposition in either, with all three matches ultimately being decided by 10 goals or more.

Assistant Coach Shane Woewodin says you simply can’t afford to give any AFL side such an advantage early in the game.

“We’ve had three trips on the road this year, and three poor losses – particularly our first quarters and our opposition’s ability to get a big jump on us,” Woewodin told LIONS TV as part of the Vero Coaches’ Wrap.

“The intensity of how Sydney started the game was very, very good. We just couldn’t kick the footy at all in that first quarter.

“Statistically, in the final three quarters we were probably on top of Sydney in all areas – bar the scoreboard really. And that was only minimal.

“(It shows) we can match it and can compete with the good teams. We just have to do it for 120 minutes – not 90.”

Woewodin also acknowledged the team’s poor disposal efficiency against Sydney, saying that it was “not good enough”.  

“We turned it over by foot and by hand on numerous occasions and gave Sydney too many opportunities to hurt us the other way. And that they did,” he said.

“I think we were going by 39-40% (efficiency) by hand in that first quarter, and the AFL average is around 82-83%.

“It was uncontested at times too. Kicking the footy out on the full under no pressure is just not good enough at AFL level.”