This weekend's clash against Gold Coast is arguably Brisbane coach Chris Fagan's biggest challenge tactically, as a host of key defenders are unavailable for selection.
The Lions will be without co-captain Harris Andrews (concussion) from their back six as well as Darragh Joyce (jaw) for Saturday's clash.
However, with depth of defence becoming an issue, Fagan won't have the luxury of calling upon Tom Deodee (knee), Darcy Gardiner (knee) and Jack Payne (foot), leaving Ryan Lester as the last man standing.
"We don't have unlimited options so it wasn't a long conversation," Fagan admitted.
"But it's still ongoing but we'll look at what sort of team the Suns pick. They'll probably pick the land of the giants this week up in their forward line. That's their business.
"We think we've got some options and from it, we'll learn about our team and what players can and can't do."
It has forced Fagan to consider left-field options, such as swinging Eric Hipwood or Joe Daniher down back to assist in combatting the Suns' tall forwards.
Damien Hardwick boasts a forward line consisting of tall trio of Ben King (202cm), Jed Walter (195cm) and Jack Lukosius (195cm), while Sam Day (196cm) and Ethan Read (202cm) have played senior footy in 2024.
"I'm considering all tall players that could potentially play tall back. Joe Daniher has played tall back before," Fagan said.
"We could bring a tall forward from the reserves and move one of those guys (Hipwood or Daniher) back. Or both guys back there.
"There's a few things we could do."
However, the Brisbane mentor won't buy into radical changes to the most in-form team in the competition, rejecting the possibility of changing a winning formula that has claimed seven wins in a row and claimed a top-four spot after starting the season 2-5.
โI want to keep it pretty simple," Fagan added.
"If you try to be too creative and too smart as a coach in this game, then players get distracted, so we'll just make a couple of simple decisions about two blokes that are going to play down there this week because we've lost two.
"They'll get the job done. There's a fair chance that one of those players won't have had much experience playing in the backline."
As for who comes into the side, Conor McKenna has been deemed available for selection while Jaxon Prior is in the frame to help bolster the backline.
Untried 2023 draftee Zane Zakostelsky has been floated as a potential debutant, although Fagan said it was "unlikely".
The Lions will be looking to put an end to Gold Coast's impressive unbeaten run at People First Stadium.
