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Voss wants Lions to run free

By Jim Morton 03/05/2010 05:59:39 PM Comments (0)

Brisbane coach Michael Voss has called on his static Lions to throw caution to the wind to prevent surprise packets Fremantle over-turning the worst away record in the AFL.

Following two frustrating losses to free-running Melbourne and Sydney, Voss has bemoaned Brisbane's ultra-cautious ball movement which he warned would also play into the Dockers' hands at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Although Fremantle have never won in Brisbane since their inception in 1995, the Dockers' 5-1 start to the season has the Lions coach wary.

"Don't worry about where they're playing, worry about their form," Voss underlined on Monday.

"They have got momentum and are playing a very disciplined role for each other and it's something we've gone away from so it's going to take us the whole way - 120 minutes to beat this team."

Voss admitted his team, which started this season 4-0, had let themselves down in the past fortnight by playing it too safe.

With Paul Hasleby, Michael Barlow, Stephen Hill and Anthony Morabito all adding extra punch around Dockers stars Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands, the Lions have been warned it's not an approach they can again take.

"We're actually making more mistakes because we are trying to play safe," Voss said.

"We have to open the shoulders up a little bit and try and be prepared to take a few risks because at the moment we're just a little too conservative.

"Sides have certainly put the clampers on us and we have to be good enough to get through that.

"At the moment the evidence suggests we've submitted to (the pressure) and we haven't to fight our way though it.

"So we have to lift out standards in that area or the Fremantle team we face this weekend is going to have a nice little merry dance around us."

The Dockers have lost all eight matches at the Gabba and haven't beaten Brisbane since round nine 2004.

The Lions' need for extra run has Voss seriously considering Irish defender Pearce Hanley for a possible promotion from the reserves along with Jed Adcock and Justin Sherman.

Adcock (quad) starred in the QAFL with Hanley at the weekend, while speedster Sherman thigh's problem has improved.

"His voice and presence and run and his kicking are starting to look like he's almost ready for that AFL standard," Voss said of Hanley.

Voss is also confident ruckman Mitch Clark (cramp) and Joel Patfull (hamstring) will play after failing to finish the 20-point defeat to the Swans.

However fullback Daniel Merrett looks likely to be another week away from recovering from a hamstring strain.

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