The Brisbane Lions are in no rush to bring back concussed defender Brandon Starcevich, who is "up and about" despite dealing with a second concussion in a month, and third in just over half a year.
Starcevich received his first concussion in 2025 when he was nudged under the ball in a marking contest by Adelaide swingman Dan Curtin in the Community Series clash and collided with a backpedalling Luke Pedlar.
The 25-year-old was able to return for Round 1 but was concussed once again while hunting a loose ball against Sydney, copping a head knock by Justin McInerney.
It appears Starcevich will not exit concussion protocols immediately after the minimum 12-day period concludes, as Fagan assured the Lions will be cautious with Starcevich's return due to the severe implications of repeat concussions.
However, signs are positive for the premiership defender, who Chris Fagan said was in good spirits at the game on Sunday.
"I don't know completely (his health status), but he was at the game so that's a positive step because I haven't seen him all week. He's going to take a little bit of time," Fagan said.
"The most important part is his health and if he does make a full recovery we won't rush him. Just got our fingers crossed that he'll be okay, but it was good to chat to him before the game and he seemed up and about so that's good.
"Yeah, I think (Starcevich's recovery timeline is undetermined).
"I think the club's just doing a range of tests and things done so that hopefully we can clear the decks on where he's at, and when the time's right he'll hopefully play again.
"We're optimistic, but got to tick all the boxes first. And that's not the AFL telling us to do that, it's us, because it's pretty important."
The Lions face Geelong next week in their rescheduled Opening Round clash, which Starcevich was originally meant to miss with concussion before returning in Round 1.
Now, Starcevich is unlikely to appear still, as he faces the tough battle of overcoming repeat head knocks.
Starcevich had been away from the club this week, with Fagan's statement confirming Hugh McCluggage's words last Tuesday, when he said he had yet to see Starcevich at Brisbane's headquarters since the Sydney game.
The AFL world is hopeful Starcevich can avoid the fate of four AFL footballers last year who medically retired due to the impacts of concussion, which included two premiership stars in Angus Brayshaw and Nathan Murphy, as well as teenager Aiden O'Driscoll and Murphy's teammate Josh Carmichael.
