A knockout blow may have been delivered to Geelong but Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss was still up for a fight after a stirring 43-point AFL win at the Gabba.

Voss was expected to be all smiles on Saturday night after the Lions (9-6 record) registered their first win over Geelong in five years to keep their top four hopes alive.

Missing six players following last round's bruising loss to St Kilda, Geelong were overwhelmed 16.12 (108) to 9.11 (65).

The fact that the Lions had avenged a 93-point thumping at Geelong in round five should have made it all the more sweeter for Voss.

Even a season-ending knee injury to key defender Jed Adcock was not expected to take the spring out of Voss' step.

But before a question could be asked at the post-match press conference, an agitated Voss opened fire.

"You will probably write about who wasn't there as opposed to what we actually did," he said.

"Do you want me to say anything outside of that?"

One reporter boldly asked if the gloss had been taken off the win with so many Cats players missing.

And not just any Cats players - superstar Gary Ablett, the inspirational Cameron Ling and key defender Matthew Scarlett were among the omissions.

"As far as I am aware they still fielded 22 players. I don't think that changed," Voss said.

"The build-up has been about who wasn't there but give credit to the guys and what they have been able to do.

"You still have to better a team that has a winning culture.

"But I would forecast what tomorrow would look like. It will probably be spoken about who wasn't there and whether that gloss was taken off but I don't think that is the case at all.

"To beat Geelong is to beat Geelong - who has done that in the last two or three years?"

Indeed only five teams have been able to pull off the feat in 60 games since Geelong last suffered back to back defeats in round five, 2007.

"They are a great team, a great club, (they boast) things that we need to aspire to as a football club," Voss said.

"For us to get away with a victory... it is pretty rewarding."

It was a gutsy effort considering the Lions plugged away with just 20 men at one stage after Adcock came off in the first five minutes and youngster Matt Austin was sidelined for a lengthy period following a heavy knock.

Cheynee Stiller - who brilliantly shut down former Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel - also received treatment after colliding with a goal post.

Skipper Jonathan Brown (four goals, 23 touches, 15 marks) was magnificent and Ash McGrath (30 disposals) was arguably best on ground.

But Voss took heart from his younger brigade with the likes of James Polkinghorne (two goals), draftee Daniel Rich (32 disposals) and debutant Jack Redden (one major) not taking a backward step.

"The young players are setting a good benchmark as to what is expected which is great," Voss said.

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