Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has confirmed tall forward Eric Hipwood is "carrying a bit of an injury" through finals as he continues to have his training loads managed by the club.
Hipwood looked hampered at times in Saturday's semi-final win over GWS, an affair that saw the 27-year-old kept to one goal from seven disposals.
The Brisbane forward has been dealing with an ailment in recent weeks and isn't alone in needing to be eased into each new week before ramping up his training program in time for the next game.
When questioned on Hipwood's injury concern, Fagan played down the severity of the issue on Thursday ahead of the club's preliminary final against Geelong.
"He's carrying a bit of an injury, as are quite a few players at different clubs this time of the year," the Lions coach said.
"We manage him early in the week and he's usually right to go by the weekend. It's just that training early in the week suffers a little, as does a couple of our guys.
"You'll notice when you go to training on Tuesday that there are some who don't join in all that much.
"He's playing an important role for us. Is he at his best? No, he's not. But he still plays an important role. He halved a lot of contests (against the Giants). Those sort of things don't come up on the stat sheet but we recognise them because it enables others to win the ball.
"He does some really important things for us and he's doing a great job."
Fagan also confirmed two-time Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale is "good to go" despite a heel injury that flared up during the thrilling come-from-behind win over the Giants.
The Lions got through the five-point victory unscathed and on a high thanks to their stellar second-half performance at ENGIE Stadium.
Former Pick 1 selection Cam Rayner was among the small group of Lions to struggle in the game, recording just three effective disposals against GWS while amassing six clangers - including a pair of late free kicks at a crucial juncture in the match.
Fagan, who noted it wasn't Rayner's "best game", came to the Lions gun's defence when quizzed on any concerns from his performance, with the Brisbane coach stating he isn't focussed on the "individual brilliance" of his players.
"The expectation is that Cam's going to be best on the ground every time we play. that's what it feels like," Fagan said of his lively midfield-forward hybrid.
"And then when he has a quiet one we all come down on him like a tonne of bricks. He contributed some good stuff last week, but it wasn't his best game. He played a great game the week before.
"He plays an important role in the team. I don't want my players to get caught up in 'What's the world going to think of me and my performance?' It's all about giving yourself to the team in finals and doing what you need to do at any given moment.
"Individual brilliance is not a focus at the moment. He'll get himself ready to play the best game he can play."
Brisbane venture to Melbourne in the coming days before meeting with Geelong at the MCG on Saturday evening, with a spot in this year's grand final on the line.
