While the Tigers posted a seven-goal win at the MCG, and their fifth from the past six matches, Hardwick was not impressed with how his men finished the contest, having led by 56 points in the third term.

The Lions booted five goals to three in the final term, and Hardwick even ventured down to the bench to express his displeasure, as the Tigers finished with 17 goals.

"I thought for 2½ quarters we were pretty good, but we probably didn't capitalise on the scoreboard at various stages. Then I thought that instead of the killer instinct we were looking for, we probably got complacent," Hardwick said.

"There were a couple of phases of play, I thought, towards the back end of the third quarter – Lloydy [Sam Lloyd] takes a mark 15 metres out and tries to handball over the top, Shane [Edwards] trying to tap the ball over his head –​ that is the sort of play I would prefer us to steer away from.

"I am after a clinical-like performance. That's probably the difference between us and the upper-echelon sides. We are a little bit off at the moment."

Hardwick said it had been important to get his message across on the bench.

"It was either that or smash a phone up there, so I found it a little bit better coming downstairs and saying, 'They are outplaying us, so lift,' " he said.

"It's not as if they are deliberately not trying – it's just the fact that the game was probably done and dusted but we are looking to put our foot on their throat, so to speak."

Star midfielder Dustin Martin continued his strong six weeks and was best afield, strengthening his claims for the Brownlow Medal. He had 35 disposals, including six clearances and 10 inside 50s.

Ruckman Shaun Hampson limped from the field with a sore knee in the final term, but scans are expected to pass him fit to face Port Adelaide in Adelaide on Friday night.

The Tigers dominated the inside 50 count 59-34 and were well served by Trent Cotchin, Brandon Ellis and Anthony Miles.

"We were looking for a big finish. We challenged our guys to kick 20 goals … it was disappointing to finish like that," Hardwick said.

He said late withdrawals Jake Batchelor (back/hamstring) and Ben Griffiths (illness) would be available this week.

Hardwick also defended the performance of key forward Ty Vickery, who had one goal alongside Jack Riewoldt (four), declaring he had brought the ball to ground when required.

"I thought his game was serviceable," he said.

The pressure remains on Lions coach Justin Leppitsch, who has one win heading into the bye.

Just what style of football the Lions want to play remains questionable, and a win over the Gold Coast Suns or Essendon immediately after the break may be needed to retain his job.

Leppitsch insisted the players still had belief in their system and in him, and reiterated he wants Lewis Taylor, who did not lay a tackle and is off contract this year, to remain.

"We have eight games to go – I think we have built enough consistency in our effort to know if we can work on a couple of our skill efficiencies, we will be OK," he said.

He said a "never-give-up attitude had been a pleasing part" against the Tigers, while lamenting the regular turnovers. The loss of Mitch Robinson (concussion) in the second term did not help.

The Lions' forward line had an average age of 20, with talls Josh Schache (one goal) and Eric Hipwood (three) showing signs of their talent.