In six games, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has already equalled the number of wins his former on-field nemesis Michael Voss produced in the entire 2011 AFL season for the Brisbane Lions.

And Buckley lost two of his first three games.

Yet Voss swore that his Lions were making progress ahead of Saturday night’s Gabba clash with Collingwood (4-2 record).

Stats would argue otherwise – indeed they have not been kind to Voss of late.

Since opening the 2010 season with four straight wins after making the finals the previous season on coaching debut, Voss boasts a horrid 9-37 record.

Comparisons with the “Bad News Bears” have already been made.

And things don’t look like changing soon for the Lions (2-4 record) who have accounted for only lowly Gold Coast and Melbourne this season.

The gap between Brisbane and the contenders was best summed up by last round’s 67-point shellacking by Essendon (5-1 record).

But when asked on Friday if the Lions were improving, Voss said: “Definitely. I don’t hesitate in saying that.

“Look at the depth of our reserves. It’s not a sign in our AFL win-loss ledger but everyone is pushing for positions.

“And if we are on our game I am confident they will get a result for us.”

Yet deep down Voss appears to be a realist.

“Last week the disappointing thing was we certainly didn’t gain any respect – we probably lost some and we’re not in a position where we can afford to lose ground on those sorts of things,” Voss said of the loss to Essendon.

Among five changes, the Lions welcome back tagger Andrew Raines who looks set to oppose either Dane Swan or Scott Pendlebury while classy defender Josh Drummond also returns.

Meanwhile, Alan Didak (adductor) will play his first game for Collingwood this season – much to Buckley’s delight: “We’re looking forward to bringing his finishing power – I think Dids at his best makes us a better team.”