Brisbane coach Chris Fagan is preparing for GWS forwards Toby Greene and Jesse Hogan to be available for Thursday's clash, despite facing the Tribunal on Tuesday night following suspensions.
The Giants duo were cited in the club's loss to Carlton last week, with the Match Review Officer (MRO) offering Greene and Hogan a one-match ban for their respective incidents.
Fagan said that the Lions were still planning to come up against the important pair, despite their potential absence.
MORE: Third Giants forward in doubt for Brisbane bout
Brent Daniels in doubt for GWS this week after copping a knock to the knee against Carlton. Amazing how quickly things can conspire against you. Greene & Hogan facing bans, Sam Taylor still in concussion protocols and Coniglio sidelined. GWS have Lions on Thu & then Swans at SCG.
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) April 22, 2024
"I think you plan for those players to be available," Fagan said on Tuesday morning.
"Then you plan for the fact if they don't play, they'll replace them with like players.
"They're both deep forwards and it won't change their system.
"They'll still play the same way I would have thought, and their system is what's made them a really powerful team since the middle of last year.
"It doesn't really affect us too much in terms of our planning."
When asked if the Tribunal hearings should be more efficient in terms of deliberation, Fagan supported the idea of a sooner hearing, especially for Thursday games.
As the Lions coach has experienced, he is unaware if Greene or Hogan will be available to play until Tuesday evening, leaving 48 hours to confidently scheme against the Giants forward line.
"I think if you've got a Thursday game, I think there's a good argument to do it earlier," Fagan said.
"I no doubt support that idea.
"It does make it difficult for us, for instance, if we had somebody there tonight, we're on a plane tomorrow, so it's sudden.
"So, maybe it's something that can be looked at."
Brisbane will be forced to make at least one change for the Round 7 clash, as ruckman Oscar McInerney suffered a concussion and subsequently entered concussion protocols, ruling him out for a minimum of 12 days.
"It's a bit of shuffle for the team," Fagan admitted.
"Darcy Fort has always been a great replacement for O' over the past three years and he'll get the nod there.
"He's been playing in good form in the reserves, so it's just a like-for-like."
The Lions and Giants will name their squad on Wednesday evening ahead of their clash at Manuka Oval the following night.
