For the second week in a row, the Brisbane Lions' NEAFL side were left to rue a slow start.
In cold conditions in Canberra against the Demons, the Lions had a kicking efficiency of 41% in the first quarter, allowing the home side to score four goals off turnovers.
While the Lions improved as the match went on, they were never able to get back in the game and eventually lost by 22 points.
"It was tough. Credit to Canberra they came out fired up with a real intensity and effort in the first quarter that probably stunned our guys a little bit," NEAFL Coach Mitch Hahn said.
"It took us a little bit too long to get going.
"We had 12 listed players and unfortunately lost Tom Bell early, who's been a strong contributor for us this season. That challenged us in a few areas including our rotations.
"It was 4.2 to one point at quarter time. Our guys then woke up. Our third quarter was exceptional. It was over 20 inside
A positive on the day was the performance of the 10 Lions Academy players who matched the Demons' more mature bodies well.
"We had 10 Lions Academy players play on the weekend and they contributed really well to the team. At one stage in our forward
"From that perspective, it's really good. Hopefully, those guys can stay in our system and continue on."
The bye has come at the perfect time for the team, allowing them to recover and reset for the back half of the season.
"Our last three weeks haven't been where we have wanted them to be. We will get some players back after the bye hopefully and that will help."
"Our ball movement has been really stagnant and slow. In the early parts of the
"Hopefully we can get that spirit back we had early in the season."
The team's next match will be against the GWS Giants as a curtain raiser before the Senior side's Round 14 match against the Giants.
Bounce is at 12.55pm at the Gabba, Saturday, June 23.
