BRISBANE Lions defender Andrew Raines knows all about the importance of staying motivated when the ultimate goal of playing in September is gone.

In eight seasons, the 25-year-old has never played in a final; not in his term at Richmond between 2004-09, or in the past two years at the Lions.

After the Lions' 45-point loss to North Melbourne on Saturday at Etihad Stadium, coach Michael Voss demanded his players mirror the intensity and drive shown by veteran Brownlow medallist Simon Black over the remaining five games.

Raines, who was one of the team's best in his defensive role against Daniel Wells, said it was integral to maintain focus once the season was all but over to ensure a strong start to the pre-season. 

"I've never experienced finals, so in my career it's been pretty disappointing, my career, at this time of year," he told afl.com.au.

"You've got to try and set challenges for yourself as an individual and as a team, and as a team, and we've got to come out of the bye up and about and really come home.

"If we can get some wins on the board, that can bounce us into next year and the summer.

"That's the goal, and you can't drop off and think that it's all over."

Raines also said there was a golden opportunity to "stuff things up" for other teams trying to make the top eight, or for those jostling for position within the top half of the ladder.

But overall, he said it was important to make sure you were still just as hungry as you were back in round one.

"You've just got to put little goals in place and go from there," he said.

"It's a tough game, AFL football, and if you drop off in intensity or your work around the club or each day at training, I think you'll find yourself shortly out the door.

"I think most blokes are pretty determined, and I know I am, so that's the approach you've got to have."

On Saturday, the Lions dropped out of the contest for the third straight week, and Voss questioned their attitude and ruled out a lack in fitness for their final-quarter lethargy.

Raines agreed, and said the team could no longer use the reasoning it was a young unit learning how to play together.

"It's usually a sign of an inexperienced team but I don't think we can use that as an excuse anymore," he said.

"The boys are starting to play a lot of footy together and we've got to really come out of that.

"We're trying to form something here so we're being competitive but it's getting frustrating because you try so hard and you just want to win at the end of the day."

Raines kept Wells to 17 touches on Saturday and two goals - one of which came from a free kick, and the other from a mark in the goal square in the last quarter, which the former Tiger said was "disappointing".

He said his role as a tagger, which he started at the beginning of the year and has seen him face off with players such as Matthew Pavlich, Gary Ablett and Nick Dal Santo - was another step towards him pursuing a permanent midfield role.

"It's been good, it's been challenging and I suppose when you lose more than you win, it's very hard," he said.

"At the same time, it's something you've got to do for the team.

"I suppose you don't get the accolades or things like that but within the four walls of the club, hopefully you do."