Brisbane star Josh Dunkley won't face West Coast this weekend after sustaining a calf ailment during last Thursday's win over Richmond.
According to the Lions' injury report ahead of Round 17, the ex-Bulldog will miss 1-2 weeks.
Dunkley was substituted out of the 81-point win ahead of the final term after suffering a corked calf, with Brisbane coach Chris Fagan revealing post-match the decision was a precautionary measure given the Lions' lead at three-quarter time and the chance to give Dunkley a rest.
The former Bulldog was one of three Lions players to record injury issues from Round 16, with Callum Ahe Chee (concussion) and Jack Payne (ankle) joining Dunkley in being left hampered from the win, however, Payne was not listed on Brisbane's injury report.
Ah Chee has entered the AFL's concussion protocols and will miss Saturday's match against the Eagles.
AFL.com.au's Michael Whiting was the first to report that Dunkley was unlikely to suit up to face the Eagles at the Gabba, while Payne was limited in his workload at training on Tuesday.
Veteran utility Dayne Zorko is in line for a return after missing the past three matches due to a calf issue, as he wasn't listed on the Lions' report, either.
No Josh Dunkley at @brisbanelions this morning and is unlikely to face West Coast. Dayne Zorko training well and would be a chance to return, while Jack Payne (ankle) also on light duties. More soon on @AFLcomau
— Michael Whiting (@MichaelWhiting) July 4, 2023
Dunkley has been among Brisbane's best performers through the course of this season, averaging 25.53 disposals, 6.73 tackles, 5.33 clearances, and 13.47 contested possessions per game from his 15 matches in 2023.
Fagan has enjoyed a breakout campaign from Payne across the opening 16 rounds of the season, with the defensive stopper working valuably in tandem with co-captain Harris Andrews in Brisbane's backline.
Despite the chance of losing a trio of senior figures, the Lions will enter this weekend's contest as extremely strong favourites, coming up against a West Coast outfit that has one win for the season so far.
Regardless of the coming weekend's result, Brisbane will remain in third on the ladder given the eight-point buffer between them and second-placed Port Adelaide, and the equally-sized gap between the Lions and Melbourne in fourth place.
Brisbane will host West Coast at the Gabba on Saturday at 1:45 PM (AEST).
