Brisbane won't rush star midfielder Hugh McCluggage back into the senior side, with Lions coach Chris Fagan confirming he won't play until the club's first final.
McCluggage's 2026 season has been hampered by soft-tissue injuries, with a persistent calf problem limiting him to 13 games.
Brisbane is set to lock up a top-six spot, needing just one win in the final two clashes to avoid the Wildcard Round, which would give the on-baller three weeks to get himself right.
“Now that we know we're for sure in finals, you probably won't see him until we play our first final, whether that's the first week or the second week of the finals,” Fagan said.
“I think we've taken a cautious approach there. We don't want to rush him. He was running quite well yesterday, so we'll do the slow build-up. He's really important to us.”
The Lions have Gold Coast at the Gabba and then finish with Collingwood at the MCG before embarking on a ninth consecutive finals campaign under Fagan.
The incredible record continues this weekend against the Suns as Fagan surpasses Brisbane triple premiership coach Leigh Matthews for the most capped coach in the club's history.
At training on Thursday, the players and staff performed a guard of honour as Fagan walked onto the training deck.
“The club's been really generous in the way that they've celebrated the occasion,” he said.
“Leigh Matthews has been even more generous in his comments about me, which is a little humbling, to be honest.
“It doesn't quite feel right to be breaking his record, but anyway, hopefully we can just live side by side in the history of the Brisbane Lions, and the people will appreciate what both of us did in our times here.”
Like Matthews did, Fagan is hoping the club secures a three-peat of premierships after claiming the flag in the past two seasons.
"I think when you get older, you get more emotional about things,” he said.
“When I got up to speak … I couldn't quite get all my words out, but I think people know how I feel about this club and the opportunity that they've given to me.
“I'm ever so grateful because who punts on a 55-year-old football manager from the Hawthorn Football Club? And they did. I'm so grateful for that, and we've had some great times together.
“In a way, premierships weren't the aim at the start. The aim at the start was just to get the club to be a good club again and get a level of respect within the competition.”
