Brisbane forward Jonathan Brown is no certainty to line up against Port Adelaide

BRISBANE could be without Jonathan Brown for this Sunday's must-win clash with Port Adelaide.

Jonathan Brown

BRISBANE could be without Jonathan Brown for the club's biggest game since the 2009 finals series, with the AFL superstar in doubt for this Sunday's must-win clash with Port Adelaide.

Brown missed Brisbane's 19-point win over Melbourne in Darwin on Saturday with a hip injury which is likely to also keep him out of what amounts to a virtual mini-final in Adelaide.

Brisbane need to beat the Power to keep their slim September ambitions alive, with Port Adelaide in eighth place on the ladder, two wins ahead of the inform Lions.

It is an eight-point game against Port, who scrambled home for a valuable away win over St Kilda at the same time.

A victory would move Brisbane one win out of the top eight. A loss will all but end their hopes of finals action.

Voss said his side might have to do it without their inspirational co-captain, with Brisbane to know more about the extent of Brown's injury today.

Brisbane will be buoyed by the likely return of midfield duo Simon Black (groin) and Brent Moloney (calf) who also missed the win over Melbourne.

"He (Brown) would be fairly unlikely I would have thought. I haven't chatted to Browny but I would say he is probably another week away,'' Voss told The Courier-Mail.

"His hip just pulled up very sore. We'll do a full investigation into it and find out exactly what's going on.

"Hopefully it goes away as quickly as it hit him. He may well be right for next week if that's the case, but we'll assess things further when we get back to Brisbane.''

Brisbane filled the void left by Brown with multiple goal-kickers combining to sink the determined Demons at TIO Stadium.

Housemates Brent Staker and Josh Green kicked three goals apiece, while Daniel Merrett and midfielder Jack Redden booted two majors each.

The Port Adelaide defence is more stingy than Melbourne's, so they will need to lift a cog at AAMI Stadium to keep Brisbane in the hunt.

Brown gives Brisbane swagger in addition to goals.

The Lions walk taller when the triple premiership player joins them walking over the white line.

Voss said two away games in two weeks would ensure there is heavy emphasis on recovery at the Gabba this week.

Teams often struggle the week after playing in the heat and humidity of Darwin.

Heavy dew means heavy legs. Lions players said they felt more drained than normal yesterday.

"We have to make sure we get the next few days right,'' Voss said.

"It's all about recovery. That's where we are at but we will look to up the intensity at training later in the week because we've been transferring that intent into our matches quite well.''

Voss said he expected Black and Moloney to bolster the midfield.

"If Blacky and Brent aren't 100 per cent next week, they'll be close enough,'' Voss said.

"They were both very close to playing against Melbourne but we didn't want to risk either of them. We didn't want them to aggravate anything and put them out for another few weeks.

"They've got some training under their belts now so they should be fine.''