BRISBANE LIONS coach Michael Voss says Essendon’s thrilling two-point win over ladder leaders St Kilda at Docklands on Sunday is an encouraging form pointer for his side.

The Lions drew with Essendon the week before at the MCG in a game that, at the time, was deflating for Voss and his players.

“Well, it looks alright at the moment, doesn’t it?” Voss said of the round 19 draw.

“To be able to draw against them might show that we’re a bit closer than what we realise.”

Voss said the Lions' form against the top sides, which included a 43-point victory over Geelong at the Gabba in round 15, has been encouraging this year

“We’ve had big games against big opposition and we’ve at least challenged them,” Voss said.

“I think the side … throughout the course of the year has shown they can fight out games. We just, at the moment, lack the intent to do that over four quarters.”

“When we do get it right, we can play some outstanding football. It’s about us being able to replicate that.”

Voss said St Kilda’s loss to Essendon might be a good thing for the flag favourites.

“I wouldn’t think Ross Lyon would be sitting there completely shattered that they’ve lost leading into the finals,” Voss said.

“It’s almost like the pressure valve has been released a little bit and they get permission to play again.

“But it just shows how tough the competition is, how much you’ve got to be on your game, and that sides are coming after you all the time.”

Asked to nominate who he would choose to take a set shot for goal to win the game after the siren, as Nick Riewoldt had to on Sunday, Voss named his two key forwards – and a former Lions champion.

“I reckon Daniel Bradshaw would go alright (and) I reckon 'Aker' (Jason Akermanis) would go alright - they would be the two that come straight off the top of my head,” Voss said.

“'Browny' (Jonathan Brown) is one of the better kickers in the game under pressure, so they would probably be the three guys that I would think about.”