Once on "shaky ground", re-signed Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss now believes he has laid the foundation for the AFL battlers to become a finals force in the next two years.

Four wins is all Voss has to show for his third season at the helm ahead of their last game of 2011 - Saturday's daunting clash with finals-bound Sydney at the SCG.

Yet Voss reckons he has achieved so much more this year - but only after enduring some nervous moments in a sweeping review.

When the dust settled following an "exhaustive" analysis by a committee featuring four-time premiership coach David Parkin and ex-Adelaide boss John Reid, Voss was re-signed for another two seasons.

Voss admitted there were times he doubted himself but now had the confidence to lead the Lions to finals glory.

"I think there are always periods as a coach where you feel you are on shaky ground," he said on Friday.

"But I think the foundation has been laid for us.

"We've got a really strong group of people who have become involved in our footy club.

"I know we will be able to grow from here."

They better - Voss will no doubt be back on shaky ground if the Lions do not improve on what can only be described as a disastrous last two seasons.

Without serving an apprenticeship, Voss still led the Lions to sixth spot on coaching debut in 2009.

Then it went pear-shaped - the Brendan Fevola experiment exploded in Voss' face in 2010 before a horrific injury toll ensured the Lions crashed and burned this year.

But Voss said he would have no excuses if the Lions failed to perform in the next two seasons.

"If there was a thought before that I have been inexperienced, I don't think that equates any more," he said.

"I am a three-year coach, I have seen the ups when we played finals and I have seen the downs - I have had to lead a football club through some pretty tough times.

"Going through that has certainly been an eye-opener for me.

"I learned a lot about our club, I learned a lot about myself - it reinforces what is important to you...and you live by it."

As skipper Voss led the Lions to three straight flags - and as coach he firmly believed he could taste more success.

"One of our main goals has got to be playing finals footy again - and we have to stay there," Voss said.

"We are starting from the outside lane, but we have to start charging to the front - hopefully that can be done in the next couple of years."

Voss said the players indicated they backed his vision with the likes of young guns Tom Rockliff, Daniel Rich and Matthew Leuenberger re-signing in recent months.

"I am proud of this group. Despite the pressure they have been able to stand up," he said.

"And when you have that level of commitment you know it (turnaround) will happen."

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