Frustrated Brisbane vice-captain Tom Rockliff believes the Lions may need to learn from their AFL rivals’ tricks and play for free kicks.

Brisbane are the most penalised team in the league by conceding an average of 20.9 free kicks a match, and Rockliff admitted it was both concerning and puzzling.

Port Adelaide were awarded 22 free kicks to the Lions’ 11 in the Power’s tight nine-point win at AAMI Stadium on Sunday – the seventh straight match Brisbane have lost the count.

Rockliff gave three free kicks away himself and said the onus was on he and his aggressive teammates to improve their technique.

But the midfielder also felt the Lions weren’t helped by opponents milking collisions.

“Sometimes there can be a little bit of inconsistency in the way it’s interpreted,” Rockliff said.

“We’ve been a bit reckless going in for the tackles. We’re a pretty aggressive team and when it comes to tackling we don’t hold back.

“We’ve got to get better at not jumping into their back and watching the high contact.”

However, the 23-year-old felt they often unfairly hard done by.

“Players are really smart and they know how to play, and react, for free kicks,” he said.

“You flick your head back or you lunge forward, you’re gong to draw the attention of the umpires so you’ve got to be really careful.

“Maybe we can get better at doing that ourselves and learn a few tricks how to dive and throw the head back at times.”

Rockliff insisted the 13th-placed Lions still had plenty to play for over the next five rounds despite Sunday’s loss almost certainly ending their finals hopes.

“It’s more about pride now,” he said. “Whether finals is in the equation or not we’re going out there to play our best footy.”