AFL wins not the focus for Lions

24 May 2012, 3:12 pm   -   Source: AAP

The Brisbane Lions aim to make the most of a rare clash with a mid-table AFL side when they face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Brisbane AFL coach Michael Voss has revealed victory has become a secondary focus for the battling Lions.

Heading into a litmus test against an under-pressure North Melbourne, Voss admitted Brisbane have concentrated on getting the basics right to fix their execution woes.

A 92-point win over Greater Western Sydney at the weekend hasn't changed the Lions' preparations for Sunday's clash at Etihad Stadium, where they haven't won for two seasons.

Voss said the last-start victory was borne out of better efforts on the training paddock to build the trust within his side following twin hidings at the hands of Essendon and Collingwood.

With the Kangaroos holding the same 3-5 record, the Lions are looking forward to testing themselves against a middle-of-the-road club following a flurry of matches against the top and bottom sides in the competition.

"We get a more important indicator about us, that's for sure," Voss said on Thursday.

"We've certainly played some top-six teams (and) some bottom-four teams so we have that opportunity in front of us and it's something we need to make the most of.

"For us, the win has become secondary over the last couple of weeks.

"We've just been making sure we get the training right, that we become predictable with one another and, if we can do those things, despite the pressure of the venue and what we get done, I know what the result will look like at the end.

"We got the win last week based out of the fact things like training have become important to us and being predictable with each other is important throughout the game.

"We need to bring that same predictability and intensity."

Brisbane's 62-point loss to the Bombers in round seven was their fourth straight defeat at Etihad Stadium and ninth in their past 11 matches at the venue, with an average losing margin of 45 points.

"It's an area we have to get right," Voss said. "When you travel, it's something you have to get right and, in recent times, that's (the venue) where we seem to struggle the most."

But Voss admitted more pressure would be on North, coached by former teammate Brad Scott, following their painful upset loss to Port Adelaide on the weekend.

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