Brisbane Lions start looking toward life without Jonathan Brown

BRISBANE'S desire for revenge on the Gold Coast won't be sated with another Q Clash victory this week.

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BRISBANE'S desire for revenge on the Gold Coast won't be sated with another Q Clash victory on Saturday and could extend to a poaching raid on the Suns in the post-season.

One question occupies the Lions' brains trust above all else - how to prepare for life after Jonathan Brown?

Their best hope resides down the highway at Metricon Stadium.

Queenslander Charlie Dixon is available, would provide forward-line mongrel, is desperate at ground level and is a more than handy bash and crash back-up ruckman.

Daniel Gorringe might cost a little more because he is a "Rolls-Royce" style of player with elite athleticism and great hands.

Both would fit in nicely at the Gabba.

Carlton's Queensland-born ruckman Shaun Hampson is another out-of-contract option.

The Gold Coast poached Michael Rischitelli and Jared Brennan from Brisbane but suddenly the Lions have a chance to get one back.

The Suns deliberately stocked up on big men in their initial recruitment campaign because they would be the most valuable trade commodities when AFL rules dictated they trim their list.

Queensland-born Kurt Tippett was the Lions' original target but suddenly he is happy at the Crows and can see a flag on offer. Magpie Travis Cloke is too expensive while Jordan Lisle, recruited from Hawthorn to do the job, has so far offered little more than a whimper.

Brown growls every time he plays. It is why he can have a goalless outing and still be among the best players.

The Lions are not just needing to replace a 194cm, 102kg player. They need to find a forward line presence.

Brown is a triple premiership player, three-time club champion, Coleman medallist and two-time All-Australian. And genuinely scary.

"The big fella's not going to be there forever. He's one of the all-time greats and there's no doubt he'll be in the Fitzroy-Lions Hall of fame," teammate Daniel Merrett said.

"He's extremely hard to replace, but as a team we have guys who can come in and give us different looks. You always find a way."

Coach Michael Voss is convinced two spearheads are the answer.

"That's why we've been playing Rog (Merrett) forward. The modern game says you need two big roosters," he said.

However the Lions need Merrett back in defence - goals lose value if the opposition kicks more.

Besides, Voss is playing Merrett forward because he needs him as back-up in the ruck.

Long term the Lions, who are still paying the price of losing Lachie Henderson and Mitch Clark, seem to have that front covered.

Billy Longer and Matthew Leuenberger will eventually make a solid ruck-forward combination in the mould of West Coast duo Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.

Aaron Cornelius has great hands and is a good kick. He is not a brute but would succeed at full-forward if the Lions can bring in some muscle.

Salvation could lie an hour down the highway where the Gold Coast Suns will soon be trimming their list.

Zac Smith, Sam Day and Tom Lynch are untouchable. But Dixon and Gorringe would be available at the right price. They are genuine ruck forwards.

Football manager Dean Warren said this year's trade week and draft must deliver the Lions their man, as they want the contender to spend at least one season playing alongside their 30-year-old skipper.