BRISBANE Lions coach Michael Voss says his team's inability to maintain a high level of intensity for four quarters is its biggest problem at present.

The Lions made a bright start to their clash against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, snaring a four-point lead at the first change.

However, they fell away in the third quarter, conceding seven goals to one, and eventually lost to the 11th-placed Blues by 36 points.

"It's been a common thing across the season, so our ability to replicate that over four quarters is something we've still got to work on," Voss said after the game.

"But what this game demands is that you can (play well) for four quarters, and if you need to minimise the damage when that team's got momentum then you need to try and work a way how to do that.

"We're just sort of tailing off in some quarters depending on the game we play."

Voss' men had plenty of chances to grab a handy lead during their dominant opening, but they booted a wayward 2.6 in the first quarter.

"It's about taking your opportunities," Voss said. "You don't get momentum for very long, so when you get it you've got to make the most of it.

"So I was quite happy with how the guys were going at the start, but we certainly weren't able to hang onto it."

The Lions looked dangerous when they took Carlton on by attacking through the middle of the ground.

Yet for large periods of the game they chipped the ball around slowly, which made it very difficult for their forward line, led by Jonathan Brown, to have much impact on the contest.

Brown ended the match with two goals and only four marks.

"We spoke about how we wanted to be able to move the footy before the start of the game, and obviously you've still got to be able to react to what the opposition are doing," Voss said.

"They were sitting numbers back. [Matthew] Kreuzer was sitting behind the footy for a while, so that probably stems the flow straight.

"Then we need to change the direction that we're going to try and get the ball through.?

"But we were a little bit clunky at times.

"At times we looked great with our ball movement and we got overlap off half-back and attacked the game, and then at times we needed to take the game on and we didn't do it."

Key defender Matt Maguire, who is battling a foot problem, was a late withdrawal from the Lions' team. He is no certainty to return for next weekend's clash with Adelaide at the Gabba.

"He seems to be almost getting to the start line but not quite getting there," Voss said.

"We'll assess that early in the week. It's just grumbling along."

After taking on the Crows, the Lions, who are in 13th place on the ladder with a 7-12 record, will round out their season with an away clash against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium and a home game against the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba.

Both matches present the club with the opportunity to end its campaign on a winning note.

"You need momentum going into the next three games," defender Jed Adcock said. "You don't want to go in on the back of five or six straight losses.

"So we've got to make sure that we're getting our basics done, and I think we proved tonight that when we move the ball well … we're not a bad side."