Brisbane are set to list an extensive number of changes for the second week in a row ahead of Saturday's bout with the Giants.
The Lions were forced into nine changes for their Round 17 fixture against the Bombers, five of which were due to COVID protocols while another four were ruled out with injuries.
While Dan McStay, Keidean Coleman, Callum Ah Chee, Harris Andrews and Noah Answerth will be available to face the Giants after serving their seven-day isolation periods, Dayne Zorko (hamstring), Daniel Rich (hamstring), Jarrod Berry (hamstring) and Jaxon Prior (quad) won't be named.
Taking a conservative approach with the injured foursome, Lions coach Chris Fagan said the club weren't willing to roll the dice at the selection table.
"I don't think we'd rush them back if we played them this weekend, but I want to err on the side of caution and bring them back next week," he said.
"It's tempting because you always want to play your best team, but I think it makes sense at this time of year.
"Yes, we lost last weekend, but we're still in a good position on the ladder and have a little bit up our sleeve.
"It's not desperation stakes.
"The temptation is always there to pick your best team every week, but I just feel like at this point, the right thing to do is to be as sensible as possible."
The COVID complications haven't halted after last weekend however, with ruckman Oscar McInerney unable to line up against the Giants after testing positive on Monday.
Defender Darcy Gardiner will be available for the Lions after recovering from a lung issue sustained in Brisbane's Round 13 win over St Kilda.
The Lions will travel to Canberra to face GWS at Manuka Oval on Saturday at 1:45pm (AEST).
