Jonathan Brown dismissed suggestions having the bye last weekend affected the Brisbane Lions' momentum after they followed their stunning win over ladder leaders West Coast with a heavy defeat to Hawthorn.
The Lions enjoyed a week off after upsetting the Eagles in Round 10 at the Gabba, but they came back to earth on Sunday with a comprehensive 65-point loss to the Hawks at a sodden MCG.
Brown said the disappointing result came about because the Hawks applied more pressure around the contest, which forced the Lions into numerous skill errors and poor decision-making.
"I didn't think it (having the bye) affected the group," Brown said post-match.
"It didn't break our momentum, I think the boys needed a freshen-up and we trained really well last week, we had a great lead-in to the game, we were looking forward to the challenge to continue it on.
"The boys were fantastic, we competed hard at training, we cracked in so our mind was still on the job from two weeks ago.
"We attacked the game with good attitude and good intent but we just got showed up a little bit.
"Their pressure was fantastic around the footy and it just caused us to probably fumble a little bit, just not be able to have the time to make correct decisions with our foot skills especially."
Lions coach Michael Voss echoed Brown's sentiments and insisted his charges did not take a backward step, despite copping a heavy loss after their impressive showing against the Eagles.
"I don't feel we walk away and sort of question the guys' effort and attitude and want to take it up to the opposition because there were some ripping physical contests against a good side," Voss said.
"But we know against those really top sides, that's why it was a great effort last week, we've got to do it for longer.
"I think we're using the ball better than what we have but one of the areas that let us down at different times was more our decisions.
"A few times when we were under the pump, in wet footy, we turned inside as opposed to outside and we opened up the corridor for a bit and then they just attacked us centrally and just got over the top of our defence."
Voss said Hawthorn was as good a team as the Lions had come up against this year.
"The last couple of weeks they've got their mojo back a little bit but they'll figure prominently in the finals I'm sure," Voss said.