Brisbane defender Jack Payne will be hoping he doesn't miss September football for the second time in as many years after hurting his knee in Saturday night's elimination final against Carlton.
Payne was left in some discomfort on the Gabba turf during the second quarter of the game following a marking contest and did not return following the incident.
Following medical treatment on the sidelines, Payne was eventually subbed out due to injury with fears of a hurt MCL.
Fellow Brisbane backman Conor McKenna was brought into the game for the second half as the tactical sub.
Brisbane Lions defender Jack Payne was forced off the field after this incident in the second term.#AFLFinals #AFLLionsBlues pic.twitter.com/e5mAVF1573
— AFL (@AFL) September 7, 2024
Speaking after the 28-point win, Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said the clubs had some "optimism" Payne
"We've got a level of optimism he might be right for next week. It's not necessarily all bad," Fagan said.
"We'll get some scans and see how it is.
"If we had to put him back out there, we could have tried to, but there probably wasn't any point in doing that. We're not having much luck with our tall defenders this year."
The potential setback for Payne comes in his return to the Lions' AFL side, having not played since Round 17 due to a foot injury.
Payne returned via the VFL last week before earning a recall to face the Blues, with the 24-year-old taking Darragh Joyce's place inย Fagan's side.
The injury also comes 12 months after Payne hurt his ankle in last year's qualifying final win over Port Adelaide, an ailment that saw him miss his side's subsequent preliminary final victory over Carlton.
The Lions progressed through to a grand final last September but did not bring Payne back into their lineup for the season decider against Collingwood, with Darcy Gardiner favoured.
The win over Carlton sees the Lions face GWS next week, with a second finals victory meaning they'll meet Geelong in a preliminary final within the next fortnight.
