The Brisbane Lions will need to produce a new-look forward structure ahead of Saturday’s tough trip to Geelong, after Daniel Merrett’s season came to an early end on Sunday when he fractured his ankle against the Western Bulldogs.

Merrett had provided the Lions with a presence up forward in the absence of Co-Captain Jonathan Brown, who has been sidelined since Round 19 with a plantar fascia tear.

Before being stretchered off early in the third quarter on Sunday, Merrett had given the Bulldogs defenders’ more than a few headaches with two goals and five marks in the first half.

It’s no coincidence that the momentum turned almost immediately after he was removed from the game.

Young Lion Ryan Lester said that Merrett would be sorely missed as he had given the side an important focal point in the absence of Brown.

“The injury to (Daniel) Merrett obviously hurt our structure a little bit,” Lester said on Monday.

“Him and Browny (provide) a big presence for us, so losing both of them hurts us a little bit. But it presents opportunities for other boys to step in and have a go I guess.”

It won’t be the first time this season that both Merrett and Brown have been sidelined at the same time, with the pair missing the Club’s matches against Collingwood (Round 10) and Fremantle (Round 12) earlier this year.

Unfortunately the Lions could manage just seven and six goals respectively in those particular matches, so will need a more even scoreboard contribution if they’re going to upset that Cats for a second time this season.

“It’s going to be a tough test against Geelong. They’ll be wanting to get a bit of retribution for what happened earlier in the year,” Lester said.

Fortunately the Lions’ Match Committee have some options, with the likes of Jordan Lisle, Aaron Cornelius and Michael Close all showing good form in the NEAFL.