He has suffered defeat more often than not in 2010 but at least Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss hasn't lost his sense of humour.

Still smarting from a sixth loss in seven weeks, Voss came up with a novel game plan for Sunday's AFL showdown with the Western Bulldogs - take the lead early and see what happens.

Voss' tongue in cheek advice came after the Lions (5-6 record) launched a stunning late comeback for the second straight week on Saturday night, this time falling short against North Melbourne to lose by one point.

"If there is one thing I don't have to reinforce with this group it is that they are a fit enough group to come home with the best teams - that has been reinforced again and again," Voss said.

"What we have to do is start to challenge ourselves a little bit more and risk the chance of actually leading early and see what happens from there."

While the Lions have not spent much time in the winners' circle since starting the season with four straight victories, they have at least shown some fight.

Voss was still lamenting the 20-minute lapses that have been costing them games, but reckoned he may be a step closer to solving their slow starts.

"The small window that we are giving away to opposition is hurting us the most - we are very close yet a long way away," he said.

"Maybe there is a thought that we think we are better than we actually are, that we come into games with that mentality as opposed to treating the game on its merits.

"You have to be able to construct your wins.

"You don't win the game in the first five minutes (but) you can lose the game in the first five minutes."

Voss is still sweating on the availability of key backman Matt Maguire (foot) but is resigned to losing defender Ash McGrath (hamstring) for "four to six weeks".

However, fullback Daniel Merrett is poised to return from a troublesome ankle complaint.

"Potentially so. He has been up and going for the last week and made some good progression - two weeks of full training gives him a very good chance," Voss said.

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