AFTER two suspensions already this season, Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch has told vice-captain Tom Rockliff to pull his head in.

Rockliff will miss Saturday night's match against West Coast after being charged with a level two striking offence on Richmond's Alex Rance last weekend.

This comes after his round one suspension for engaging in rough conduct with Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell.

The incidents were remarkably similar, with Rockliff delivering a punch – graded as 'low' impact on both occasions - to the stomach of his opponent off the ball.

Leppitsch said the 24-year-old had to learn.

"If you want to put your life in the hands of the Match Review Panel, good luck to you - you don't know what's going to happen," Leppitsch said.

"You've got to be able to control yourself and make sure the things you do are clearly within the rules, because anything outside that you run the risk.

"I've had a chat to him, but … he's smart enough to figure it out."

Rockliff's absence on Saturday night will ensure none of the Lions' first choice midfield will play, with ruckman Matthew Leuenberger (Achilles) and fellow midfielders Jack Redden (ankle) and Daniel Rich (knee) all injured.

Rockliff is the heart-and-soul of the Lions, loves to lead by example and is having a super season, averaging 29 disposals and nine tackles over his 13 games.

He is a popular figure among his teammates, but his absence hurts, and Leppitsch said he had to have a good, hard look at his actions.

"As long as he's not going to become an excuse maker and blame the Match Review Panel and blame anybody else," Leppitsch said.

"At the end of the day, it's his actions, he needs to be smarter than that.

"I say to our players, 'don't put your life in the hands of the Match Review Panel, you don't want to go there because you know you have to face the consequences that come your way'."