North Mellbourne's midfield has taken a hit as co-captain Jy Simpkin was subbed out of Saturday's clash with Brisbane due to a hand injury.
A contest in the second term of the match at Mt Barker Oval left Simpkin in the arms of club medical staff after hurting his hand in a tackle.
Simpkin was soon sent down to the North Melbourne rooms for further assessment and would return to the field, only for the club to make a call at half-time to sub their gun onballer out of the second half of the match.
Senior midfielder Hugh Greenwood was brought into the match in place of Simpkin, with the former Crow and Sun featuring in his second straight appearance as the tactical sub.
The injury adds to a frustrating past few weeks for Simpkin, who missed his side's Round 3 clash with Hawthorn due to a suspension for striking.
Simpkin wasn't the only Roo to come under an injury cloud against the Lions, with first-year sensation Harry Sheezel (thumb) and Will Phillips (shoulder) both needing help on the sidelines.
Both Sheezel and Phillips have continued to play out the match.