A PUZZLED Chris Fagan says he has no idea where reports of Brisbane's interest in Essendon forward Joe Daniher came from.

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The Lions were linked to the injury-plagued Bombers star earlier in the week, but the Brisbane coach seemed perplexed when asked about it on Friday.

"I saw that," Fagan said.

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"I don't know where these things come from. 

"I'm the coach and I've had not much to do with list management, our list manager (Dom Ambrogio) is in Melbourne. I guess we'll start to address these things when the season comes to an end. 

"From my perspective I'm just coaching the team we've got now, and I'll leave that work to others. 

"I don't really comment on list management things unless I know some factual stuff, which I don't." 

Daniher unsuccessfully sought a trade from Essendon to Sydney at the end of last season and is widely tipped to want away again at the conclusion of 2020. 

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Brisbane will play Saturday's game against struggling North Melbourne without dynamic forward Cam Rayner, who has been ruled out for a second straight match with a hamstring injury. 

Fagan said the former No.1 draft pick had progressed much quicker than expected, though.

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"He'll have another week off," Fagan said. 

"I said to our medical people, 'gee, he's moving well'. I think we should look after him for another week. 

"He's way better than I thought, I didn't think he was a chance at all." 

Charlie Cameron will play after overcoming a knee scare, while Ryan Lester and two-gamer Mitch Hinge are in line to replace suspended defender Daniel Rich.