Sometimes you need a bit of optimism and Reds coach Richard Graham certainly has it in spades, after another heart-wrenching Queensland loss.

A 17-18 loss to the Lions, with a last-gasp Quade Cooper drop goal attempt charged down, left the Reds with a 1-5 record at the bottom of the Australian conference .

But Graham is still hanging on to their finals chances.

The Reds coach was adamant his side were more than just a chance of making the semi finals, with a trip to Melbourne to face the Rebels on Friday before their South African tour.

"I still think that the semi-finals are achievable for us," he said.

"I've got no doubt about that at all.

"We will be better as a team for having played tonight for the first time as a group and we'll go to to Melbourne with confidence.

"That time together's important.

"The more time we spend together in this next three weeks that we're away and playing, we as a team will be better for that."

Time is one thing the Reds have not had together all season and their lack of cohesion was obvious against the Lions.

While he didn't prove the magic solution, Cooper gave the side a focal point in attack and Graham was pleased with his playmaker after the match.

"He certainly gave us more fluency and width in the way that we did things," he said.

"There are things that he'll take away from that that are really positive and there are other things there that we'll work on during the week and he'll get better and we'll get better as a consequence."

Crucially, a fully fit James O'Connor was freed up to play as a roving winger, who impressed alongside Cooper and bullocking centre Samu Kerevi.

Kerevi earned a try for his efforts, barging over in the 63rd minute after a furious attacking phase from the Reds.

The trio were among six returning players for the match, and the side did find a semblance of rhythm as the game played out.

Despite the new faces, it was the same errors the Reds have made for much of this season, with their set piece under pressure again.

A terrific effort from veteran prop Greg Holmes earned the Reds a penalty-try in the 53rd minute, but there was not much love for them in the scrum.

The Reds conceded easy tries to their opposition, though, allowing Harold Vorster over in the 13th minute, while a coughed-up lineout led to Warwick Tecklenburg crossing over to give the Lions a 15-3 lead.

Basic handling errors cost them as well, with fumbles from players like Ben Tapuai and Will Genia handing over possession at critical times.

Captain James Slipper wasn't as defiantly optimistic as his coach after a disheartening loss.

"We had a fair few players coming back and it took us a bit of time to adjust," he said.

"It comes down to fine margins and execution tonight we ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard.

"It's a step forward but in saying that it's still really gutting."

The positive for Queensland is that they do have some time on their side but that will soon be running out as will the room for error.