BRISBANE Lions vice-captain Tom Rockliff has angrily denied having issues with sacked coach Michael Voss, saying the entire list played for him right to the death.

Reports following Voss's sudden axing on Tuesday suggested that a core of players, including Rockliff, had fallen out with the coach.

But the 23-year-old jumped on the front foot on Thursday, saying that it was complete rubbish.

"It's not true," Rockliff said.

"Me and Vossy have had robust discussions over the five years we've been together.

"I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't have the tough conversations with him and he wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't have the tough conversations with me.

"Our conversations were always in the best interests of the footy club moving forward.

"To say that I had a problem with Vossy, that's so far from the truth it's not even relevant to answer that."

It is believed the list of "robust discussions" included Rockliff's mid-season shift to the forward line when the Lions were struggling for numbers.

Since returning to the midfield in the past five weeks, the 2011 best and fairest winner has been in sensational form, averaging 33 disposals, seven clearances and seven tackles.

Rockliff said winning five of their past eight matches showed the Lions were playing for Voss.

"The way you've seen us compete over the last eight weeks (winning five) proves we had Vossy's back and we were moving in the right direction," he said.

Rockliff and captain Jed Adcock said the players were shocked when they heard of Voss's sacking, but had to move on quickly.

The players have met multiple times since the bombshell to air any concerns.

Adcock admitted it had been tough to move on.

"It's tough to see someone you love leave, but the board made that decision in the best interests of the club," he said.

"The boys have a good personal relationship with Vossy, so they're upset he won't be around to see the year out or next year, but it's a brutal game and you've got to turn up on Saturday night.

"We've been in pretty good form the second half of the year, but as (chairman) Angus (Johnson) and the board agreed, they felt the next step for the footy club was to move in a new direction and hear a new voice and a fresh voice and that's the way they've gone."

Twitter: AFL_mikewhiting