JUSTIN Leppitsch has called for patience from the football community, saying he is more confident than ever that the Brisbane Lions are on the right track.

The Lions are sitting at the bottom of the table with just two wins after 16 rounds, but Leppitsch says the bigger picture is much rosier.

He said the influx of young talent in the past 18 months had been the best at the Lions in the past decade.

Also, the addition of Dayne Beams, Mitch Robinson and Allen Christensen in the last off-season gave Leppitsch confidence better times were around the corner.

Although he acknowledged that "everyone is tired of losing", the Lions coach said a better run with injuries and more continuity could turn things around quickly.

"Our long-term vision at the club is to bring in good young talent and show our fans who's going to be there for the long term, and we've done that over the last 18 months," Leppitsch said.

"I'd argue the best young kids this club has had in the last 10 years have come through in the last 18 months.

"Guys like Dan McStay, Darcy Gardiner and Lewy Taylor, James Aish, Harris Andrews - they're all names that are going to be around for a long period of time at the footy club.

"It's exciting for our long-term vision.

"Having said that, we do want wins on the board as well."

The Lions have been decimated by injuries this season, with key personnel Pearce Hanley (five games), Daniel Merrett (three) and Tom Rockliff (nine) among the regular absentees. Leppitsch said Hanley was unlikely to play this week against North Melbourne.

They have often had fewer than 30 fit players to pick from.

Despite having just nine wins from his first 37 games in charge, Leppitsch said his confidence had not wavered.

"Not at all, if anything it's strengthened," he said.

"When we've played well the evidence is there and when we don't, it's not.

"I think for everyone it's a patient time. We've had five retirements in the last 12 months, we bought a host of young kids in to develop and we've also brought in some really good recruits.

"It's been a challenge.

"Getting a win would give some relief to the group and we haven't been able to do that. Hopefully that'll come a few more times before the end of the year."