Brisbane may be forced into a forced change ahead of their home preliminary final against Carlton following reports that defender Jack Payne is now in doubt for selection.
The ambiguity surrounding Payne's selection status has arisen after the stopper suffered an ankle injury during the Lions' qualifying final win over Port Adelaide.
As has been reported by Michael Whiting of AFL Media, the much-improved backman has been left wearing a precautionary moon boot since the incident.
With Payne now racing the clock for Brisbane's first home preliminary final since 2020, club selectors saw fit to pull veteran defender Darcy Gardiner from the Lions' VFL team in an effort to cover bases.
Gardiner had initially been selected to do battle for Brisbane during the club's reserves prelim against Werribee, a contest the Lions lost by five goals.
Payne is tipped to be given every opportunity to prove his fitness throughout the week, with the 23-year-old expected to hit the track at the earliest possible convenience.
Should the Academy product fail to tick all of the boxes ahead of Saturday night's opening bounce, the Lions will be left light on at the back against star Blue Charlie Curnow and his returning foil, Harry McKay.
The opening bounce of the Lions and Blues' do-or-die date is scheduled for 5:15pm (AEST) at the Gabba.
