As if rookie Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss didn't have enough to worry about.

Already frustrated by his team's inconsistency, Voss faces arguably his greatest challenge to date on Saturday night - "bogey team" Sydney.

Voss was the first to admit that the Swans "had a hold" on the Lions ahead of the Gabba clash.

Statistics tell the story - the Lions have not beaten the Swans in the AFL since round one, 2004.

It's hardly music to Voss' ears as he tries to get to the bottom of his side's lapses in games.

In round one, the Lions were able to rectify it thanks to a storming third quarter and downed West Coast by nine points.

But last weekend the Lions gave away too much of a lead - 48 points at one stage - to just fall short against Carlton.

In both games, stirring second half displays have hauled the Lions back into matches after quiet starts.

Voss said his challenge was to get the Lions playing well from the outset and "not just when our backs are against the wall".

"We tend to be a group that when challenged we rise to the occasion," Voss said.

"As the game wore on we had more opportunities to win the game, which is quite extraordinary considering we were so far down.

"This group has tremendous fight but what we want at the start of the game is to get rolling along."

Asked how he could rectify it, Voss laughed: "I have rehearsed my half-time speech so I can deliver it before the game."

Voss pulled no punches when talking about Sydney's power over the Lions.

"I do believe there are some sides that match up better than others and if there is such a thing as a bogey side the Swans have been that for us," he said.

"The elephant is in the room and no one usually mentions it but I can categorically say that the Swans have had a hold of us for quite a period of time."

Asked why the Swans have the wood on the Lions, Voss said: "It can build up over time.

"We are a new group that wants to stand for new things - hopefully that means something when we line up against them.

"But they have got some great players, and they also shut down our great players - it's the double whammy.

"I have admired the Swans about the way they have gelled as a team."

Watching the Swans pull off a last round upset over defending champions Hawthorn would only have added to Voss' fears.

Voss was keeping his fingers crossed Swans dangerman Barry Hall with a groin injury wouldn't be flying north this weekend.

"I wouldn't be too disappointed," he laughed.

"You always say you want to play against an opposition at full strength - well, you can save that for later in the year."

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