THE Brisbane Lions have the grunt, but to move to the next level badly require some polish, says coach Michael Voss.

In atrocious conditions against Geelong at the Gabba on Saturday night, the Lions went almost three quarters before kicking their first goal and ended up with just four for the match.

Two weeks ago against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium they were little better, kicking five goals in four quarters.

Against the Cats it was not lack of opportunity which hurt the Lions, but a lack of finish.
The Lions won the inside 50 count (54-46) and had more scoring shots (21-19) but never troubled the premiers.

The Lions were also good in the clinches, winning the tackle count 108-92.

But Geelong was cleaner, more efficient and took their chances.

"On a wet night they made the most of limited opportunities," Voss said.

"We had lots of chances but in the end we just didn't defend our goals well enough.

"The pleasing part was I asked the guys to finish the game strong and they did that. There is tremendous character in this footy team, there is. We've got to now start adding the finish if we're going to get ourselves to the next level."

The gulf in class was highlighted in the second quarter when Geelong captain Joel Selwood and Lions defender Pearce Hanley chased a loose ball back towards the Lions' goal.

Hanley led the race but left his feet. Selwood calmly picked up the loose ball and snapped a goal over his right shoulder.

Although a number of the Lions' 17 behinds were hurried attempts, captain Jonathan Brown, Ash McGrath, Andrew Raines and Todd Banfield were all guilty of missing gettable shots.

Voss said he was disappointed the Lions could not defend their goals better.

"We know that over a period of time efficiency will come," he said.

"We'll keep working on that. From experience that's the last thing to come. When that's starting to click and you're clean with your hands and you're moving the footy and you're efficient inside 50 and you're hitting your targets and finishing goals, that's really the last thing of the chain that needs to happen.

"We'll keep working on that because clearly we're not there but where we have to really start to get right is we have to defend our own goal."

Voss said aside from the round two loss against Carlton, he had been pleased with the Lions' defence so far this season.

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting