If Michael Voss gained any confidence from the Brisbane Lions beating Geelong last time they met, it was hard to tell ahead of their Gabba re-match on Saturday night.

The Lions coach certainly didn't look like he had bragging rights as he tried to come to terms with a long injury list that will feature fullback Daniel Merrett longer than first thought.

Voss said on Friday that Merrett would be out for another "couple of weeks" after re-aggravating his hamstring at training just days ahead of an expected AFL return.

It's another body blow to the wounded Lions who are already without injured trio Josh Drummond, Jared Brennan and Mitch Clark.

Voss would be forgiven for taking some heart from the 43-point thrashing of the Cats in their last encounter - also at the Gabba - ahead of Saturday night's clash.

While trying to remain upbeat, Voss said the Lions had everything to prove against the AFL premiers as they tried to snap a three-game losing run.

"They have been the benchmark for a number of years and we would like to be at that level in some point in time," he said.

"What they are like as a team is what you admire most about them despite the fact that they have great individual players."

Voss knows that the Lions will only have themselves to blame if they slump to their seventh defeat in eight games against Geelong.

"A long time ago when they were building their team they looked at the Lions and said 'that's what we hope to emulate'," Voss said of the Lions' three-time premiership side.

"I think they have done a pretty good job.

"(But) it would be nice to start to think that our football club would be at a point where we can say 'it is time we turned the tables', and see if we are heading in the right direction."

But that may be later rather than sooner judging by Voss' off the cuff remarks on Friday.

Asked if he had a match-up for Gary Ablett, who has averaged 32 touches in his last four games against Brisbane, Voss said: "I can't share it with you but I don't think Gary is going to have a sleepless night tonight, put it that way."

And asked what impact would the return of Matthew Stokes from suspension for drug charges have on Geelong, Voss said: "It's no concern for me, I am too busy trying to get my own players up."

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