Premiership Lion Brandon Starcevich has been ruled out of Opening Round after entering concussion protocols following Thursday night's practice match against Adelaide.
Starcevich became a valuable lockdown small defender for Brisbane in their Cinderella run to a flag, playing every game from Round 13 and keeping star small forwards Jesse Motlop, Brent Daniels and Tyson Stengle goalless in their finals encounters.
The 25-year-old had once again kept his direct opposition relatively quiet in the first quarter and a half at Brighton Homes Arena, until a collision in a marking contest marked the end of Starcevich's night.
Similar to how 2024 Pick 1 Sam Lalor suffered a concussion and fractured jaw against West Coast earlier this month, Starcevich was nudged under the ball by second-year Crow Dan Curtin, leading to the defender's head colliding with Luke Pedlar's shoulder.
Momentum from a push behind gave Lalor the same fate, after Reuben Ginbey pushed the highly-touted draftee under the ball, resulting in a knock between Lalor and Eagle Sandy Brock.
With the AFL's 12-day concussion protocols, Starcevich will now be sidelined for the Opening Round clash against the Cats.
The two clubs head into the match coming off an all-time classic preliminary final matchup in their last encounter, with the Lions edging out Geelong by 10 points at the MCG.
Starcevich was crucial in the Lions' win after holding Stengle goalless, and followed up a week later in the Grand Final by keeping Tom Papley to just one major for the afternoon.
Beyond Starcevich, the Lions will head into Opening Round rather unscathed, with Harris Andrews likely to return to the lineup after being sidelined with illness on Thursday. Meanwhile, Will Ashcroft and Sam Day were bandaged up after bloody knocks early in the match, however they both played out the game without further complications.
Brisbane fell short by less than a kick to the Crows in a tight affair, losing 94-97 in the Community Series clash.
