Brisbane Lions defender Pearce Hanley ruled out for up to a month with injury

SUPERCOACH ALERT: Brisbane Lions defender Pearce Hanley ruled out for two to four weeks with a broken hand.

Pearce Hanley

BRISBANE'S hopes of advancing through Port Adelaide towards their first finals appearance since 2009 have been dealt a savage blow with Pearce Hanley set to miss a month with a hand injury.

Hanley, who was on track for his first best and fairest win after top-five placings in the previous two years, had scans yesterday that revealed he had fractured his right hand in the 19-point win over Melbourne.

The Irish import's absence offsets the anticipated return of Brent Moloney (calf) and Mitch Golby (quad).

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And co-captain Jonathan Brown is also in a race against time to be fit for the must-win match at AAMI Stadium on Sunday. Brown is uncertain of his chances and it will depend on how his hip injury felt on Thursday after today's main training session.

Coach Michael Voss was hopeful he would have his skipper back saying he was "tracking nicely'' and the eight-day break between matches would help his chances of a return. 

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Earlier in the day Voss told a media conference talk of a finals appearance was ridiculous.

With veteran Simon Black also out of action indefinitely the Lions' hopes of clawing back the two-game margin Port Adelaide have over them seem to be remote.

Voss has another good reason why he doesn't want his players dreaming of September.

The Lions produce their best footy against the very best sides when they have nothing to lose  as wins over Geelong and Essendon and last season West Coast and Adelaide attest.

It is why sides around them on the ladder have troubled them in recent seasons  although wins over North Melbourne and the Suns in the past month have started to rectify that.

When Brisbane focus on their football and not the scoreboard or ladder they are capable of anything.

Thinking about the potential prize, which could be a return to the finals if they defeat Port Adelaide, could prove to be a stumbling block.

"I'm not sure about this group whether they can let go of a result and just play the game,'' Voss said.

The popular defender is owned by 80,202 SuperCoaches (25 per cent of players) and was averaging 99 points.

Disappointing news from the Gabba, scans confirming @pearcehanley has a small fracture in his hand. Expected to miss 2-4 weeks. More 2 come

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) July 23, 2013

"That is what we are always trying to encourage, the result will look after itself if you set the game up from the very start, that's how you build your wins.

"That is something we are continually working on. I'm hoping we can put another block on that this weekend.

"We all agree that footballers play well when they play on instinct and whatever releases that, that is what we are trying to achieve in any given week.''

Because of that Voss said he was happy for members and supporters to talk about the hope of finals action but it was banned inside the club.

"We look at what we've got to get better at and what we need to train at and that's what we're focused on," he said.

"Anything else outside that is irrelevant."

Brisbane have won three matches in succession and are now just two wins behind eighth-placed Port Adelaide.