In positive news for Brisbane, four Lions emerged unscathed from their return-to-football games over the weekend.
Josh Schache (knee), Hugh McCluggage (ankle), Marco Paparone (hamstring) and Alex Witherden (leg) all played in the NEAFL win over the Sydney Swans in Blacktown on Saturday.
19-year-old Schache slotted four goals against the Swans in his first game of 2017.
A low-grade medial ligament strain hampered his pre-season and forced the key forward to miss round one of the AFL season.
Brisbane Lions Head of Medical Peter Blanch said he was pleased with the progress of the returning four.
“We had four guys come back in the NEAFL this week. A couple of those players were on limited minutes, but, all four of them got through fine,” said Blanch.
Injury List: Lions Health Centre
In the same match, young defender Reuben William dislocated his shoulder. He is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with the injury.
“He’ll be out for a few weeks, and then we’ll have to see how he goes,” said Blanch.
Meanwhile, Dayne Beams has been cleared to play in Sunday’s match against St Kilda at Etihad despite receiving medical attention on his foot.
The Lions Captain came off the field early in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s loss to the Bombers, and his foot was assessed by Club medical staff.
“He got a kick on one of the nerves in his foot and that settled down quite quickly. He’ll be right to go this weekend.”