Sydney coach Dean Cox has warned his side they can't be one-trick ponies and must find another gear after their Brisbane humbling.

The Swans (12-3) were shot down at the Gabba on Thursday, the Lions (9-6) producing an ominous reminder of their all-round class in a 43-point win.

The 19.12 (126) to 12.11 (83) result followed unconvincing three and two-point wins before last week's bye.

Crucially, the hosts were able to nullify the Swans' handball game that had been so impactful earlier this season.

"It didn't help, but Brisbane were cleaner, tougher, hungrier - plain and simple," Cox said of his side's sloppy ball movement.

"You can't just rely on one phase of your game to get going.

"We gave up eight shots from our kick-ins ... 20 shots from turnover, too many."

He was also critical of his side's workrate, with Chad Warner a lone soldier at times as he racked up four goals, 28 disposals and eight clearances.

"Some of the stuff he did around clearance ... he'd been a little inconsistent earlier in the year around centre bounce," Cox said.

"So to take the game forward ... he worked extremely hard."

Cox also praised key forward Charlie Curnow (three goals, 13 disposals) as he urged for a response ahead of next week's clash with the Western Bulldogs.

"He competed ... we didn't have enough of them that wanted to go to the line for long enough," the coach said.

"The next one's important; that's all I can get to, straight to the Bulldogs.

"Our sole intention is to get back to playing the footy we need to as quickly as we possibly can."

He said Errol Gulden (18 touches, six tackles) would benefit from about 100 minutes of action in his return from shoulder surgery while there was relief when Tom McCartin, who has a long history of concussions, was cleared after leaving the field in the second half.