QUEENSLAND football is nowhere near crisis mode, according to AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan.
Both the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast remain winless in 2015 and are anchored at the bottom of the ladder ahead of the QClash on Saturday.
But McLachlan said the League saw the clubs' slow start to the season as a momentary lapse, rather than an endemic problem.
"At the moment, the two clubs are having difficulties on-field with a struggling start but it’s my view that’s largely a reflection of injuries to key players that have hit hard," McLachlan told the Courier Mail.
Gold Coast has lost Gary Ablett to a well-publicised shoulder injury, while young midfielder David Swallow (knee) and All Australian defender Nick Malceski (knee) are set to spend time on the sidelines.
Ablett aims to return in 'a couple of weeks'
The Lions lost Pearce Hanley (hip) before the season had even begun, while skipper Tom Rockliff (ribs) and experienced big man Daniel Merrett (hamstring) have also missed some time.
"Clubs won’t use that excuse externally, but you have to look realistically at the personnel available," McLachlan said.
"Gary Ablett is a huge loss as the best player in the competition while Brisbane have also missed key players.
"Both sides have had good periods within matches so far this season, but their challenge has been to maintain their performance across the full game, and they haven’t been able to do that."
McLachlan said the League was confident the teams would turn things around in due course.
"The two clubs are well-administered and both have good strong boards, which are taking them in the right direction," McLachlan said.
"We will always continue to support both clubs.
"This period for these clubs, in which both are having form issues at the same time, is part of the nature of our competition where teams do move up and down the ladder."