THE BRISBANE Lions' tackling numbers are well down this season, but their coach says it's not from a lack of effort.
In fact, Justin Leppitsch says the major problem is coming from the Lions' inability to convert a first possession into a clearance.
Put simply, they get their hands on the ball first, fumble it, and then watch the opposition clear the ball and get out of congestion.
WATCH Justin Leppitsch Press Conference
The result is the Lions have lost the clearance count for the past three weeks and been spanked by an average of 71 points.
They have also lost the tackle count in two of their four losses, but Leppitsch says both statistics intrinsically linked.
"Our tackle numbers are low because our first possession numbers are high," Leppitsch said.
"We're getting our hands on the ball a lot. When you get your hands on the ball you don't tend to tackle.
"The problem is we haven't converted those into clearances.
"A lot of fumbling has crept into our game.
"(Against West Coast) we were even in first possessions but lost clearances by nine. You'd like to think they'd be even."
In the Lions' four losses to start the season, the tackling numbers of their midfield prime-movers are well down on 2014.
Last season captain Tom Rockliff (9.2) led the AFL in tackling, while midfield mate Jack Redden (seven) was also in the top-five.
Rockliff has been hampered by injury early this season, but Redden's tackling numbers are well down (averaging just four a game), as are fellow mids Dayne Zorko (down 1.8 a game), Dayne Beams (down 1.5 a game) and James Aish (also down 1.5).
The Lions are down almost seven tackles a game on 2014.
On the flipside, Saturday's opponent Gold Coast is not only missing arguably its three best ball-winners in Gary Ablett, Jaeger O'Meara and David Swallow to injury, but also have the worst disposal efficiency in the competition.
Leppitsch said pressuring the Suns' midfield into error would be a key to victory.
"Every team has got to bring their pressure and we're no different," he said.
"We talk about it every week. Some weeks we do it well, others not.
"Whoever toughs it out best will win the game."
