Black, who will be sidelined for up to a month after breaking his hand last Thursday night against Carlton, has proven yet again to be one of the team's main drivers in the engine room.
After the first two matches of the 2012 season, Black leads the Club in total disposals (53), handballs (28), clearances (16), tackles (14) and goal assists (3). Not bad for a guy who turned 33 last week.
He ranks 7th overall across the entire competition in clearances and is five clear of his nearest rival at the Lions (Jack Redden and Daniel Rich are ranked equal second with 11 apiece).
But Black's misfortune also opens the door for one of the Lions' 'Generation Next' to step up and take on that massive responsibility that the three-time Club Champion has shouldered brilliantly for close to a decade.
Redden and Rich, along with Tom Rockliff and James Polkinghorne seem the most likely candidates to step into that role, while the likes of Andrew Raines, Ryan Harwood and Josh Green have been showing good signs with the Lions Reserves and could potentially be afforded an opportunity.
With Black in the twilight of his career, it will prove an interesting preview into how the Lions might cope once the team's most decorated player decides to hand up the boots.
One player who is a certain starter for this week's clash against Fremantle is skipper Jonathan Brown who will make another return from a facial injury.
Brown will be a welcome addition to the Lions' forward-line which has been spearheaded in his absence by regular full-back Daniel Merrett - who currently leads the team with four goals.
Merrett's position down back, meanwhile, has been ably filled by Matt Maguire who leads the League in One Percenters with 20 from his first two matches.
Please find below a full list of the Lions' stats leaders after Round 2.
Lions Stats Leaders (AFL Top 10)
Hitouts: =9th Matthew Leuenberger (43)
Clearances: 7th Simon Black (16)
Tackles: =9th Simon Black (14)
Contested Marks: =4th Tom Rockliff (6)
Marks Inside 60: =7th Tom Rockliff (6)
One Per Centers: 1st Matt Maguire (20), =9th Joel Patfull (16)
Goal Assists: =8th Simon Black (3), Matthew Leuenberger (3)
Time on Ground: =1st Daniel Merrett (99%), =9th Joel Patfull (97%)
