The Brisbane Lions got their season on track with a professional last quarter burst all that was needed to down St Kilda, at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
The Lions are bereft of players at present, with stars Hugh McCluggage and Harris Andrews missing through injury and suspension respectively, while highly touted draftee Dan Annable and veteran keys Eric Hipwood and Jack Payne also face extended periods of restricted to the pavilion.
As such, the last thing Chris Fagan's men needed was another injury to another key pillar.
Unfortunately, they were confronted with just that on Saturday.
Veteran key defender Darcy Gardiner pulled up lame after a contest with Saints hardnut Liam Ryan, with Chris Fagan revealing on Fox Footy's AFL360 that the 30-year-old could be set for up to 12 weeks on the sidelines, in another cruel blow.
Fagan spoke of the toll that consecutive, deep finals runs can take on a side.
"81 games in three seasons is a lot of football," Fagan said.
"The thought has gone through my head that maybe the last few years could take their toll at some point in time," he continued, while also referencing the injuries to the recently departed Brandon Starcevich and Callum Ah Chee.
Youngster Ty Gallop was thrown back after the Gardiner injury, and showed some promise, in a positive for the side.
A mouthwatering renewing of hostilities with modern rival Collingwood awaits the Lions this week, in another instalment of their Easter Thursday rendezvous.
Magpies' talisman Nick Daicos has started the year in sublime form, leading the AFLCA's Champion Player of the Year award through three matches.
The question was put to Fagan as to whether or not his side would tag the prolific and impactful ball-winner.
"Daicos is a super player," he said.
"We'll be giving him some sort of attention, whether its a full-on tag, or just around stoppage, we'll talk about that during the week."
Fagan does not appear too fazed by the Lions' slow start to the season, obviously informed by the premierships won in years where his side started behind the eight ball. The grandfatherly veteran did contextualise their 1-2 record somewhat, however, stating that a close-run loss to the rampant Bulldogs "has been shown to be good form," given the Dogs' flawless 3-0 start to the campaign.
Former colleague Alastair Clarkson gave Fagan his flowers for the job he's done in the River City, offering that it is the rebuilding blueprint for struggling clubs to follow.
“It was a lot easier to climb your way back up the ladder (when the duo did so at Hawthorn)," Clarkson said.
"'Fages' has done the tough yards at Brisbane - his first couple of years were pretty tough, but that's the model for us all to follow. When it spikes, it can spike quickly," he added, referencing the jump Fagan's lions made from five wins in his second year to 16 in his third.
North face an under-fire Carlton side this Good Friday, with both sides desperate for a win.
