GOLD Coast coach Guy McKenna is on red alert for a special Jonathan Brown performance on Saturday night as the Lions skipper takes part in his first QClash at the Gabba.

Brown missed both derbies between the Lions and Suns last year after suffering facial fractures in the lead-up to both.

He returned from a third facial injury in 12 months against Fremantle at the weekend and will line up against the Lions' M1 rivals for the first time.

Brown had just three disposals in the 29-point loss to Freo, but McKenna said the nature of the contest would bring the best out of the Lions' champion.

"He hasn't played in a QClash and it's a big game," McKenna said.

"We understand how big this game is and he's a proud Queenslander now, and he'd be licking his lips for this opportunity to get out and play in his first QClash.

"We know how good a player he is, we understand what he's going to be able to deliver on, and we need to suppress that as best we can."

Speaking at a joint press conference with Lions counterpart Michael Voss at Brisbane's Kangaroo Point cliffs on Monday morning, McKenna said a number of players could line up on Brown.

Teenager Tom Lynch was in the frame after spending the past two weeks at centre half back, former Lion Jared Brennan's name was also tossed up, but the most likely scenario is either Nathan Bock or Matthew Warnock.

Voss said Brown was like a caged lion after missing both matches - which finished with a win each - against the Suns in 2011.

"I think he's an adopted Queenslander, there's no doubt about that. He loves his football club, he's the captain of our football club," Voss said.

"It ate him up a fair bit that he couldn't partake in any of those matches last year.

"If there's any one player that I know is going to be ready to go this week, mentally, physically or otherwise, it will be Browny."

While Brown is ready to go, both clubs have injury concerns.

Lions' ruckman Matthew Leuenberger is undergoing scans on Monday on an Achilles injury suffered against Fremantle and will almost certainly miss, while Gold Coast hard-man Campbell Brown (groin) will be assessed during the week after sitting out against Essendon on Saturday.

McKenna said Brown would come straight back in if passed fit.

Voss said the eight-point loss in last year's inaugural QClash still stung, despite some redemption with a thumping of the Suns later in the season.

"You learn lessons out of the first time we met last year," he said.

"We were a little bit ambushed last time. We've got the first hand experience of that and were on the wrong end of that and it's up to us to make sure that doesn't happen again."

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting