Midway through the third quarter against the Giants, Brisbane faced a scary reality; this could be the end for Jonathan Brown.

A sickening collision with Tomas Bugg turned out to be the inspirational skipper’s final act on the field. He retired this week.

So where to now for the Lions?

Brown’s absence late in the game in Round 13 left Justin Leppitsch’s team without a strong forward target and it was similar story against Fremantle last week.

Three marks inside 50, albeit from only 17 entries, was one of the lowest totals of all time. Two of those came from 184 centimetre mid-forward Rohan Bewick.

Daniel Merrett played forward last week and looks the most likely to step up, but you only have to look at 2014 statistics to illustrate the void is one not many could fill.

Brown took 23 marks from his 11 matches this year. Merrett is next best of the talls with just 6.

Developing key-position players Michael Close and Jackson Paine are other options, but it’s an almighty task given they’ve combined for just 7 goals from 11 games collectively.

For Brisbane, it will be a change in tact. Its small forwards have shown they are more than capable around the big sticks. Josh Green (176cm), Dayne Zorko (174cm) and Lewis Taylor (173cm) have combined for 33 goals.

‘The Mozzie Squad’ have quickly built a reputation for their pace and x-factor in attack. Their importance to the Lions’ fortunes is huge.
Against a North back six that likes to attack, their job is to keep their opponents accountable.

Aaron Mullett, Nick Dal Santo and Shaun Atley are all dangerous going the other way, but will need to be on the ball in defence to avoid a repeat of a fortnight ago, when Sam Kerridge and Eddie Betts ran riot in attack for the Crows.

Not having Brown will make for a huge challenge for the Lions. Whether it be Merrett, or another option, getting the ball to ground to the smalls is paramount.

It will all mean little if Brisbane can’t get the ball forward though.

17 inside 50’s (5 in the first half) was a record low since stats have been recorded and the Lions are last in the competition across the season for forward entries.

When the teams last met in Round 9, they went inside 50 on just 37 occasions, compared to North’s 61. The result was an 87-point loss and an embarrassing 32 scoring-shot differential.

The saving grace from that day; Brisbane was without its past two club champions, Joel Patfull and Tom Rockliff.

When you consider Rockliff had 45 disposals, 12 tackles and 13 clearances last week in a losing side, his inclusion is huge.

Patfull will get the job on one of North’s talls, whether it is Drew Petrie, Aaron Black or youngster Ben Brown. He’s hugely important to the Lions’ chances.

It’s worth remembering it was only 12 months ago Brisbane had a seven-goal last term to knock off Brad Scott’s side at the GABBA, with a lineup that isn’t so different to the one that will take the field on Saturday night.

A moving tribute for Brown is set to take the place before the game and the home team is sure to come out firing.

Having not won in Brisbane since 2005, the Kangaroos task certainly won’t be an easy one despite the Lions’ lowly ranking.