As it stands, Brisbane will be without two-time Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale for Saturday's Grand Final against Fremantle after the Tribunal upheld his one-match suspension.
But who's in line to replace him?
There's always controversy when heading into the final week of the AFL season, and this year has proven no different.
Could there be a fairy-tale inclusion for two injury-plagued stars? Will a premiership defender overcome an ankle injury?
How about a 2025 premiership team member? Or a draftee from last year?
The Lions can still appeal the Tribunal's decision at the AFL Appeals Board, but in case, here are six Brisbane players who are in line to play on Saturday...
Keidean Coleman
An outside chance, but the dashing defender has been working his way back into the senior side since back-to-back injury-plagued seasons.
Like McCarthy, Coleman featured in the 2023 grand final loss to Collingwood, but was sidelined due to injury in the past two triumphs.
He's played 13 games this year, with his last start against Carlton in Round 21.
From a positional point of view, Coleman's inclusion doesn't make a heap of sense, unless Fagan can utilise him on the wing or up forward.
He has spent time across the half forward line, but given a short run-in, seems a very, very outside chance.
