THE BRISBANE Lions’ injury crisis has deepened, with Claye Beams, Sam Mayes and impressive first-year player Jaden McGrath to all spend time on the sidelines.
McGrath has the worst injury, suffering a stress reaction in the navicular bone in his foot, and will miss eight to 12 weeks.
Mayes also reported pain in his foot following Saturday night's game against Richmond, with scans also revealing a stress reaction. He will be in a moon boot while the injury settles, and will miss a minimum of two weeks.
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The most freakish injury came for the luckless Beams, who broke the little toe on his left foot while getting out of the pool at a team session on Tuesday morning. He will miss one to two weeks.
"It’s disappointing for these three players to be spending time out with injury, especially at a time when we require all players available to field our best possible team so we can get our season back on track," general manager of football Dean Warren said.
"Jaden has been really impressive in his first year of AFL footy and we will be doing all we can to ensure he gets back fit and healthy from this long-term injury."
It continues a horror start to the season for the Lions who have been decimated with injuries. Irish star Pearce Hanley (hip – eight weeks) has not played a game yet, while young forwards Michael Close (knee – season) and Jono Freeman (glute – three weeks) have also been set back.
Fullback Daniel Merrett injured his hamstring in round one and will spend one more week on the sidelines, while captain Tom Rockliff (ribs) is racing the clock to return for Sunday's match against West Coast.