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Voss keeps faith

Laine Clark 09/04/2011 12:44:59 PM Comments (0)

It seems fitting that the Brisbane Lions will run out on the AFL's spiritual home the MCG on Sunday - because coach Michael Voss is still keeping the faith.

Coming off a nightmare 2010, the signs are already ominous for Voss this season following last round's 78-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.

And a win-less Lions face another stern test against a Demons outfit keen to atone for a last round effort against Hawthorn their beloved president Jim Stynes branded "unacceptable".

Yet Voss firmly believes a Lions revival is just around the corner.

"We would probably write last week off, but we feel we have been there or there abouts just looking for that little bit where it all clicks together," he said on Saturday.

"We just have to make sure we hold that belief.

"We have to be firmly fixed on the direction that we need to go, believe in that and know that it is just around the corner - because I firmly believe it is."

Voss even hoped that the Demons (13th; 0-1-1 record) rose to the challenge thrown down by Stynes this week and lifted against his Lion cubs (15th; 0-2).

"If you don't expect the competition to come out and be at their best ... then you are coming in with the wrong mindset," he said.

"In actual fact I hope they are (at their best)...because for me it is about testing ourselves out, make sure we stand up in that environment.

"I am sure they (Melbourne) are not happy with the way they have started.

"We are sitting in a similar position so we have to make sure we have to turn it around."

Draftee Jared Polec becomes the fifth Lion to make his debut this season after being thrown in against Melbourne alongside key forward Aaron Cornelius.

Ruckman Broc McCauley and forward Amon Buchanan were dropped.

"He's been knocking on the door from pretty early on - his pace, skill and finishing ability is right up there," Voss said of South Australian Polec, who was the No.5 pick in last year's draft.

But arguably more eyes will be on Cornelius in the absence of injured forwards Jonathan Brown and Brent Staker.

"There's been a couple of years where he has been waiting for that moment - now he has a chance and on a good stage to do that," Voss said.

"I think he would admit there have been players in better form (in previous weeks).

"But it comes to a point where we have some needs, and he fits in that category (due to injury).

"We are not going to sugar coat it for him - he has some work to do on his game, he just has to do it on a big stage."

While Voss may be under the pump after just two rounds, the pressure is also on Melbourne's Dean Bailey.

He does not have to be told Melbourne must finally show something from the concessions they received in their wooden-spoon era.

He would be forgiven for thinking they could kick-start a finals run with a win against the Lions - they have won three of their last four clashes, including both of last year's encounters.

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