How the Brisbane Lions of 2015 would structure their forward line and kick goals was a hotly debated pre-season topic, and after just one round, it's an issue still puzzling coach Justin Leppitsch.

In Saturday night's loss against Collingwood, Leppitsch opted for just one recognised tall – teenager Daniel McStay – alongside a resting ruckman and a squad of fleet-footed small and half-forwards.

In the greasy Brisbane conditions, the tall targets struggled, with McStay, Matthew Leuenberger and Stefan Martin combining for just three marks inside forward 50 and three shots at goal.

Ahead of Sunday's match against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, Leppitsch has conceded McStay might need some taller assistance in the forward 50.

"It's something we need to look at because Dan needs some help, he's only a young boy," Leppitsch said on Thursday.

"We've got pretty much two ruckmen, we don't have a big, strong full-time forward that's at the right age."

Third-year forward Michael Close played all three NAB Challenge matches before being left out of the round one side, while veteran Brent Staker is also an option.

Jonathan Freeman (glute) is in his second season, but sidelined with injury, while Jackson Paine (shoulder) and Luke McGuane (knee) are also in doubt.

Leppitsch said he would retain the Leuenberger-Martin combination, with one lending support in the forward line.

"I think we'll mix up their roles for 20 per cent, but for the large majority they've got to play one as a key and one as a ruckman, that's just what has to happen," he said.

Leppitsch said the Lions and Kangaroos would be desperate after first round losses in which both teams played just one good quarter of football.

He said despite losing to the Magpies, he felt the Lions were not far off and could take some positives.

"If you talk from one year to the next … we [would have] lost that game by over 50 points last year," he said.

"We had a lot of first possessions and lost a lot of hard ball, which normally means you've got it, you're trying hard, but you're fumbling."

Daniel Rich will captain the Lions for the first time against the Kangaroos.

Rich has been given the first chance to lead the Lions in the absence of regular skipper Tom Rockliff, who will miss up to six weeks with broken ribs and a punctured lung.

Leppitsch confirmed the duties would be shared between Rich and fellow vice-captain Dayne Zorko until Rockliff's return.