The Brisbane Lions won’t be making any drastic changes to their game style despite being outplayed by cross-town rivals the Gold Coast last Saturday at Metricon Stadium.

Captain Jed Adcock told media on Monday that the game plan wasn’t to blame for the loss, rather the way it was implemented by the players.

“The game plan won’t change. You don’t get three weeks in after training it for a whole season and then throw it all out the window and start again,” Adcock said.

“During the pre-season we were able to implement the game plan really well, and I don’t think we’ve been able to do it as well (so far this season).

“The game plan’s fine. We’ve proved at times this season that it works. We know it works. We just have to implement it. It comes down to us players to get that done. Obviously the opposition will have something to say about that as well.”

The Lions will get a chance at redemption this Saturday when they travel to South Australia to face an in-form Port Adelaide side.

The task will be made even tougher without key players Daniel Rich (knee) and Daniel Merrett (suspension).

But Adcock said that it’s important the Lions ‘get on with business’ despite losing two of the team’s more experienced players.  

“We’ve got another big game coming up with Port, who are playing really well,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot to work on. A lot of our senior core aren’t in great form, so we need to work hard on the training track.

“(Daniel Rich) is a big loss. We probably lack a bit of skill, so he probably provides that for us. He’s a penetrating kick and can break the lines.

“(Daniel Merrett) is another big loss – he’s our rock down back.

“But we’ve got the players who can fill those roles. It gives someone an opportunity to step up.

Adcock suggested that Ryan Harwood and Rohan Bewick would be among those in line for a senior recall, with youngsters Sam Mayes, James Aish and Lewis Taylor likely to assume greater on-field responsibility.

Jordan Lisle’s recent shift to defence should also provide the Lions with greater flexibility in finding a short-term replacement for Merrett down back.