THE SEASON is over for Brisbane Lions midfielder Claye Beams, after the 23-year-old underwent knee surgery on Wednesday.

It was originally hoped Beams would miss just a month, but coach Justin Leppitsch revealed a far worse outcome on Thursday morning.

"Unfortunately they've had to stitch his cartilage back together and that's usually a 12 to 14 week injury," Leppitsch said.

"So if you do the numbers, it probably means his season."

It is the second serious knee injury for Beams, who underwent a full reconstruction in 2013 after a training mishap. 

He suffered the latest injury during the second quarter of Sunday's 22-point loss to St Kilda. 

Beams had the knee strapped and bravely played out the remainder of the match. 

"Claye hasn't been able to have any continuity in his career," Leppitsch said.

"This one isn't a killer, it's just unfortunate the timing of it and the weeks he'll miss.

"He'll come back next year bigger and better."

In better news for the injury-ravaged Lions, Leppitsch confirmed vice-captain Pearce Hanley would play his first match of the season against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday. 

Hanley had pre-season hip surgery but has trained strongly in recent weeks.

Leppitsch said the classy Irishman was close to a return last week and there was no thought of bringing him back through the reserves. 

"We just think the gap between playing seniors and reserves for a guy that's played nearly 100 games is minimal," Leppitsch said.

"(Just) get him out on the better deck.

"It's just the tempo that's going to be the adjustment for him. Our expectation is for him to play four quarters."

Jack Redden (back) will undergo a fitness test to prove he is ready to return, while rookies Hugh Beasley and Jordon Bourke are favoured to be upgraded and face the Giants in Sydney.