THE BRISBANE Lions will continue walking an aggression tightrope despite two players facing suspension, coach Michael Voss says.
Key defenders Daniel Merrett (three weeks) and Justin Clarke (one week) have been offered bans from the Match Review Panel following incidents in the first quarter of Saturday's upset win over Essendon.
Merrett performed a sling-style tackle on Michael Hurley that saw the Bomber take no further part in the match, while Clarke was reported after charging into the back of Elliott Kavanagh during a marking contest.
Merrett's penalty was impacted by his poor record.
Voss said the extra aggression was a major reason for the Lions' victory, and he would continue to encourage it in the future.
"We wanted to start well and they made a statement early and now our statement has to be 'that's the standard that we expect'," Voss said.
"Of course we'll coach through what needs to happen in different situations, but from our perspective, we want to play that aggressive brand and it's been missing for a while. To see that on the weekend was pleasing."
The Lions had been blown away in the opening quarter of their three previous interstate trips this season, surrendering five-goal leads to the Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne and Sydney Swans at the first change.
Voss said the club had to make a statement early against the Bombers.
"It's (aggression) been absent once we've stepped on to a plane. In the first quarter it's disappeared for whatever reason," Voss said.
"The opposition have put a bit on us and we haven't reacted very well.
"We've talked about it plenty of times but nothing that's stopped it from happening. On the weekend we put a stop to it."
The likely loss of Merrett and Clarke to suspension has been slightly softened by the return from injury of Matt Maguire.
The former Saint has not played since the opening round against the Bulldogs, but has recovered from a leg injury and is available for selection to play Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday night.
It is a rematch of the NAB Cup Grand Final won by the Lions in March, but Voss said he expected things to be vastly different this time around.
"Mick's (Malthouse) doing a few different things since that game, he's had more time to evolve his gameplan and where he wants to play players, and we've had some structural changes too.
"A bit's changed since that point in time and if last week's a long time, you can sure as hell know the NAB Cup is an eternity away."
Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting
