BRISBANE Lions captain Tom Rockliff has suspected broken ribs after a third-quarter incident against Collingwood on Saturday night.

Rockliff crumpled to the Gabba turf in agony after Magpies recruit Travis Varcoe flew for a mark at half-forward and accidentally kneed the new skipper in the ribs.

Rockliff lay prone for the next minute and was eventually assisted from the field by Lions medical staff.

He was later taken to hospital to get scans and will remain in there overnight.

Lions coach Justin Leppitsch was unsure of the specifics post match, but was resigned to losing Rockliff for a period of time.

"I've heard mixed reports at this point in time," Leppitsch said.

"He may have been taken to hospital to make sure he didn't puncture a lung but I haven't got the final result.

"He doesn't go down for no reason. I knew it had to be something bad.

"He's a gun player, we'll miss him of course.

"It's going to test our leadership as much as anything because he's the best talker of our group, the best organiser of our group. It's going to be left to a few others to fill the void there."

After the hit, Rockliff struggled to walk or stand up straight to breathe before he eventually reached the interchange bench.

The midfielder was subbed out of the contest, with Sam Mayes replacing him.

It was Rockliff's first game as captain after taking over from Jed Adcock during the pre-season.