THE BRISBANE Lions are reeling after scans revealed premiership midfielder Simon Black suffered a broken hand at training on Monday night.
A club spokesman confirmed that Black had been ruled out for four to six weeks – which includes the Lions' entire NAB Cup campaign.
However, the expected lay-off suggests that the 29-year-old will be ready for the season opener against the West Coast Eagles on March 28.
Black was named as one of four vice-captains to Jonathan Brown in December, soon after he required minor surgery to an ankle injury that hampered his start to pre-season training.
He was then kept him from running at full pace in the lead-up to Christmas.
Black enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2008, pushing through groin soreness to finish second to Western Bulldog Adam Cooney in the Brownlow Medal count.
He won the award in 2002.
The Lions are currently preparing for next Saturday's pre-season clash with St Kilda on the Gold Coast and, under new coach Michael Voss, are searching for their first finals berth since 2004.
