JED ADCOCK, the Brisbane Lions' dashing defender, might best sum up his teammate Tom Rockliff's ability to impact a game.

"He just pops up everywhere," Adcock said.

Adcock was speaking after the Lions' shock 58-point thumping of the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, where Rockliff was best afield with 40 disposals and two goals.

Adcock said his 22-year-old teammate had a range of skills to suit the modern game, and a tenacity to match.

"He's got amazing vision, for a bloke who's not quick he doesn't seem to get tackled often, and he's so precise with his kicking," Adcock said. "He just pops up. He just keeps popping up."

Rockliff was everywhere in the first half, gathering 22 disposals and helping the Lions at the stoppages, where his bustling frame crashed packs and broke tackles, and helped send the ball forward. 

In the second half, Rockliff floated deeper into the Lions' attack, and he kicked back-to-back goals late in the third term to almost seal the Lions' win.

Although Rockliff was drafted as a forward from the Murray Bushrangers in the 2009 NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft, this year his knack around goals has become obvious at the elite level.

Rockliff has now booted 12 goals for the year and admits he's enjoying the extra time as a leading, marking and creative option closer to goal.

"It's good to play a bit of time on the ground and rest forward," Rockliff said.

"It's frustrating at times when we can't get the footy down there, but it's something we've got to work through and adding versatility to the mix we've got at the moment is really good.

"It's good to sneak down there and hopefully get on the end of a few at times."

Voss' regard for Rockliff is clearly high. Last year he won the club's best and fairest, and although Rockliff is only in his fourth AFL season, he has already become the Lions' go-to man. When things happen for the Lions, Rockliff is usually involved.

"We know he's got genuine leadership skills, so it's not just what he offers when he has the ball in his hands," Voss said after the match.

"He had a fantastic day today, as well as a few others."

Callum Twomey is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey