THE NEWS just keeps getting better and better for Brisbane.
After strolling to an emphatic 37-point victory over the previously unbeaten Port Adelaide on Saturday night, the Lions are set to regain skipper Dayne Zorko earlier than expected from a troublesome calf injury.
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There had initially been fears that Zorko could miss up to a month due to his calf complaint, but Brisbane coach Chris Fagan revealed he could take part in the club's upcoming matches in the New South Wales hub.
They begin on Thursday night with a blockbuster bout against Geelong at the SCG, before the club travels to Giants Stadium to meet fellow premiership fancies Greater Western Sydney to round out their fortnight away from home.
However, fellow midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen looks set for a period on the sidelines after suffering his own calf injury during the early stages of Saturday night's comfortable win over Port Adelaide.
"I think so (Zorko will play next week), based on the way he trained this morning," Fagan said.
"He's obviously got to get through the rest of the week, but he went really well this morning and he's a really strong chance.
"(Ellis-Yolmen) injured his calf really early in the game, so I imagine he'll have a scan. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be right for next week."
Port Adelaide was dealt a hefty reality check on Saturday night, with coach Ken Hinkley saying his side was "physically outmuscled" by Brisbane in a one-sided second quarter at the Gabba.
The Lions turned the match on its head with a six-goal second term, which laid the foundations for a big win that brought the Power's unbeaten start to the season to a sudden halt.
It came after Port Adelaide had controlled proceedings throughout the opening quarter, without being able to make its dominance count on the scoreboard due to some wayward kicking in front of goal.
Hinkley's side will lick its wounds and return to South Australia from the Gold Coast hub on Sunday night, spending a week at home before returning to Metricon Stadium for another daunting task against Greater Western Sydney next week.
"They got the game rolling on their terms," Hinkley said.
"If you lose contests, particularly around the ball first, then you're going to lose contests forward of the ball or back of the ball … which we did tonight.
"We were beaten badly at the contest, which is an area where we've been really solid and where we've been pretty good for a fair while now. But tonight we were given a good uppercut."
