Lions dealt double defensive blow in run home

Joanna Guelas and Oliver Caffrey | July 7, 2026

Luckless Brisbane defender Jack Payne’s push for a late finals appearance in the reigning premiers’ three-peat quest is over due to an ongoing knee injury.

It is the latest blow for the club in the run to finals, with the fourth-placed Lions set to be without fellow premiership defender Darcy Gardiner for at least four weeks after a hamstring injury.

Brisbane 2024 premiership star Payne hasn’t featured at AFL level since rupturing the patellar tendon in his left knee in last year’s round 14 clash against GWS.

Missing out on the 2025 decider win against Geelong, the 26-year-old underwent surgery on his left knee in February as part of his rehabilitation.

Payne hasn’t played in the VFL this year either, with the club on Tuesday confirming the defender’s return timeline has shifted to 2027.

While Payne hasn’t suffered a setback, the Lions are hoping breathing space in his rehabilitation will prove beneficial.

Key defender Gardiner will miss at least a month after injuring his hamstring in Thursday’s 22-point win over Geelong.

The 30-year-old was instrumental in keeping Cats star Jeremy Cameron to just two disposals before hobbling off the field midway through the final quarter at GMHBA Stadium.

At worst, Gardiner could miss up to six of the remaining seven home-and-away rounds.

Gardiner has already missed six weeks this season due to a knee problem.

He has managed just 38 games since the start of 2023 amid a series of injury issues, including significant shoulder, knee and ankle setbacks.

After having as many as 13 players on the injury list a month ago, the Lions now only have Payne, Gardiner, Oscar Allen and Linc McCarthy on the sidelines.

Premiership stars Dayne Zorko (quad) and Hugh McCluggage (calf) are expected to return for this Sunday’s Gabba clash with struggling Essendon.

Allen could be available as soon as the following week’s game against West Coast.