Coach Michael Voss left his Brisbane Lions players in no doubt they'd let the AFL club down with their last-quarter fade out against Richmond.

Brisbane led late in the third term at the MCG on Saturday night but lost 18.16 (124) to 14.14 (98).

The Lions rolled over in the last quarter, kicking only 2.2 to Richmond's 4.8 as the Tigers dominated the inside-50s 23-8 in the final term.

The Lions are the only side without a win in the AFL after round six and Voss admits his men have no claim over the tag as favourites for the Queensland derby against Gold Coast at the Gabba on May 7.

"The effort and intent has got to be there for us to be a competitive footy team. I think they get that, after our discussion," Voss said.

The Lions started to lose their grip on the game when full-back Daniel Merrett was penalised for running over the line in the back pocket before kicking the ball towards the wing, watching it sail into the crowd.

Jack Riewoldt scored an inspirational goal from the resulting free-kick and the Tigers kicked another 1.1 before three-quarter time to turn a five-point deficit into an eight-point lead at the final change.

"I have no idea what it was for," Voss said of the free-kick.

Richmond's effort to win 163 contested possessions compared to Brisbane's 131 was a crucial factor, Voss added.

"As a team collective, we didn't do a good enough job," he said.

"In the last quarter they ran over the top of us. They were a bit stronger around the ball than us."

Youngsters Tom Rockliff, Jack Redden, Pearce Hanley and ruckman Broc McCauley were among those playing supporting hands to veterans Simon Black (34 touches and eight clearances) and Luke Power (four goals).

"You know what? I'm not walking away pleased with anyone's efforts today," Voss said.

"Yeah we're getting games into players but you can't count your games. We're here to play AFL football, this is where the big boys play so it's more about ourintent.

"If we don't have the right capability, we've got to get the right intent and we didn't get either today.

"It takes a collective effort to win this game and we didn't get that today.

"We just didn't bring our contest face on. We probably wanted the ball nice and Richmond, they were willing to work a little bit harder in the clinches.

"We got cleaned up in the contested footy so you start on the back foot when you get cleaned up in the contested ball, which was really disappointing."

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