They’ve proved they won’t be easybeats, but the Brisbane Lions are determined to improve their finishing touches to do more than just compete with the AFL’s big boys.

The Lions battled to be within two points of Hawthorn in the third term in Launceston on Saturday before being blown away to lose their season-opener by 48 points.

Attacking livewire Dayne Zorko lamented Brisbane’s inability to convert their chances – which included two 11-point turnarounds late in the third term when they missed set shots and the Hawks immediately goaled at the other end.

“There were a few little execution errors that Hawthorn capitalised on,” Zorko said on Monday.

“Being a premiership side, they really showed us how to use it moving forward.

“That’s an area (where) we lacked class, in the finish, especially the third quarter when we had opportunities.

“Only in that last quarter it fell away and opened up. I think there’s a lot of promising signs there.”

New coach Justin Leppitsch was proud of the performance but was left to lament the Hawks’ 25-point lead at the final change despite having the same number of scoring shots as his side.

One of Brisbane’s best players, with 28 touches against the Hawks, Zorko promised the Lions would again be up for another tough test against Geelong at the Gabba on Sunday.

While the Lions beat the Cats with a last-gasp Ash McGrath bomb at home last season and almost upset them away in the final round, he rated Geelong as strong as ever.

“I don’t think we’ll approach it any different from last week,” Zorko said. “Hopefully this week we can do it for four quarters instead of three.”