Angry Brisbane coach Michael Voss will order his Lions to try and emulate the indefatigable Simon Black, who was the standout performer in their 45-point AFL loss to North Melbourne on Saturday.

The Kangaroos kicked eight of the last nine goals of the game to win 17.20 (122) to 11.11 (77) and move within striking distance of the top eight.

But a 14th loss in 17 matches this season for the Lions was in no way the fault of Black, who amassed a game-high 37 possessions, more than half of which were contested.

The 2002 Brownlow medallist also laid eight tackles and had 14 inside 50s, 10 more than any of his teammates.

"I hope they grab his videotape and they watch him, solely him, and nobody else," said Voss of the example set by his triple premiership-winning teammate.

"It's whether you actually want to have that attitude or intent or whatever you want to call it.

"He's my pin-up boy for the next five weeks or so I guess."

The Lions' long injury list includes skipper Jonathan Brown - out for the season after suffering another serious facial injury last weekend - plus the likes of Daniel Merrett, Daniel Rich and Josh Drummond.

But the coach wasn't looking for excuses.

And he was furious at his team's attitude and the fact they conceded 39 scoring shots.

"Not good enough - that's what happened," he said.

"You've still got to be able to go for the whole game and we're not doing that.

"The courage to keep running when you're tired is not something that is good enough for us at the moment.

"I can talk about individuals and talk about the niceties of having some of the younger players coming through.

"But no, not today."

There were eight lead changes in the first two-and-a-bit quarters on a sunny afternoon at Etihad Stadium.

But from the moment Brisbane youngster James Hawksley goaled at the six-minute mark of the third term to put the Lions ahead by a point it was largely one-way traffic in the other direction, despite the very best efforts of Black, who had 14 possessions in the final quarter alone.

Drew Petrie and Cameron Pedersen gave the Kangaroos twin marking targets in attack and finished with three goals apiece, although Petrie was wasteful with a haul of 3.5.

Skipper Brent Harvey's midfield work was complemented by good games from youngsters Ryan Bastinac and Jack Ziebell.

Brad Scott was also pleased with a much-improved second half from key-position player Lachie Hansen, who earned a bake from his coach after a listless first two quarters.

The Kangaroos now face a potentially season-defining clash against Carlton back at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

"From the start of the year, when we were right up against it, to get back to this position has been a tough haul," said Scott.

"We're giving ourselves a chance where we're right in the mix.

"I thought today we did what we needed to do and probably not a lot more than that."

In one concern for the Kangaroos, utility Michael Firrito was reported for striking Black during the second quarter.

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