Michael Voss admits the Brisbane Lions lost patience and then the battle the last time they played Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium and has demanded more from his midfield to make sure it does not happen again.

Port had an AFL year to forget in 2009, but they did manage to crunch the Lions by 48 points in round 14 at home, a result largely derived from the Power's ability to get under the skins of the Brisbane players.

Though the Lions won a topsy-turvy return bout at the Gabba in round 21, it is the earlier meeting that has been all the talk in Adelaide this week, and it was certainly fresh in Voss' mind.

"I don't think it was just the last quarter (that Port got inside Brisbane heads), I felt that the whole game," he said on Friday.

"They're the mind games that get played and you're not only physically bringing your game but mentally you're bringing your game and you've got to bring the right attitude.

"So I would concur that the Port players were able to get in our heads, and they noticed it so it's something we've got to be mindful of."

While Lions captain Jonathan Brown has been irrepressible so far this season, Voss observed that his midfielders needed to win more of the ball in order to deliver it to he and Brendan Fevola.

"I rate Port very highly, I think they've got a team system they're putting in place and a style of footy that would suggest they're genuine top eight material," said Voss.

"They may not have earned that reputation yet, but I certainly hold them in that light with the way they're being coached at the moment and the way they're executing their strategy.

"They've certainly increased their ability to be able to win the footy, there's no doubt about that, they're No. 1 for contested ball in the competition, so that's going to be a nice ask for our midfielders to be able to get their hands on the footy."

As befits a team coached by the courageous Voss, Brisbane have developed a reputation for resilience.

It is the sort of trademark the Power are trying to create for themselves in 2010 after two years of limp-wristed surrenders and a lack of accountability.

Opening wins over North Melbourne and West Coast have helped, but Brisbane should present a far sterner challenge.

"I'll guarantee we'll be putting defensive pressure on because that's our game," said Power coach Mark Williams.

"It makes it really difficult for the opposition when we tackle, we chase and we harass them. That's what we have to do."

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