Brisbane midfielder Dayne Beams has leapt to the defence of under-fire coach Justin Leppitsch, saying the AFL club's players are just as culpable for the team's woes.
The Lions sank to new depths last Saturday with an 83-point hiding at the Gabba by Fremantle.
The defeat leaves the Lions 17th on the ladder, with just one win from 12 starts and only percentage keeping them above crisis club Essendon.
Leppitsch angrily dismissed talk about his future following the loss, asking journalists to "stop these silly questions".
Beams says it's unfair for all the blame to fall on Leppitsch because the players are not delivering on the field.
"Coaches can give us all the stats and game plans but until we go out there and do it we're not going to get anywhere," the former Collingwood star said.
"Leaders need to lead. We're a young leadership group. We're all learning. (We) need to lead on the field when things are tough."
Beams is currently sidelined indefinitely with knee tendonitis and admits it has been tough being unable to help his teammates during the past few weeks.
But he is hopeful there is time left for the Lions to salvage some pride before the end of the season.
"We're very disappointed but we're aware there's still 10 rounds to go so we see it as an opportunity to redeem ourselves," he said.
"We might not win games but we can be competitive and that's the key for us."
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