Concussed Brisbane Lions co-captain Harris Andrews to miss QClash

The AFL wants answers from the Lions regarding Brisbane’s handling of a head knock suffered by one of the club’s best players.

Lions star Harris Andrews will miss Saturday’s QClash. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Lions young gun Darcy Wilmot is adamant Brisbane has enough defensive depth to cope with the loss of co-captain Harris Andrews for Saturday’s battle with the Gold Coast Suns.

Andrews has been ruled out of the QClash at People First Stadium after entering concussion protocols.

The key defender was concussed in the dying stages of Brisbane’s two-point home weekend win over Sydney.

However, a separate incident in the third quarter with Swans forward Joel Amartey forced Andrews off the field – but not until the following quarter.

He was able to return to the field after passing a compulsory SCAT6 test.

The Lions have been sent a please explain letter by the AFL for their management of Harris’ head knock.

Lions coach Chris Fagan said at time of the incident with Amartey, it appeared Andrews had “just got a hit in the ribs and was winded”.

“Somebody back at AFL House looking at it felt a different way about the incident, so that’s I think how the communication arrived to us,” Fagan told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 show.

Fagan admitted it was a “bit of a concern” with the time it took for Andrews to be called from the field.

“But the truth of that was he did the test, and he didn’t have concussion at the point in time. It was only in the dying stages in that last minute when he fell to the ground and knocked his head, that’s when he actually got concussion,” the Lions coach said.

“He was fine up until then. He was cleared by the AFL test. It’s all a bit unclear to me, to be honest.”

Harris Andrews has been ruled out of Saturday’s QClash. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Harris’ unavailability has further depleted Brisbane’s key defensive stocks, with the Lions already without anterior cruciate ligament casualties Tom Doedee and Darcy Gardiner for the season, and Jack Payne, who is currently sidelined with a foot problem.

However, 20-year-old defender Wilmot was confident the Lions would handle their latest injury blow and secure an eighth successive win.

“We trust that we’ve got the depth,” Wilmot said.

“We have trust that the players who are going to come in are going to do their job, and they have (previously) as well.

“Us backs, we’ll do what we’ve done all year, and help and support as always.”

Wilmot also said the versatility of Brisbane’s squad was handy when trying to cover for the loss of players.

“We’ve got a couple of tricks up our sleeve,” he warned the Suns.

“Adversity in tough times, we’re familiar with it, so to be able to adapt is something we’ve been able to learn and continue.”

The Lions won’t underestimate the Suns, who upset Brisbane in last season’s meeting between the teams at the Carrara venue, where the Gold Coast is yet to lose this season.

“We can’t be too happy with ourselves. There’s still a lot to learn and improve,” Wilmot said.

“Anything can still happen. You can’t take any game for granted.

“Gold Coast, they’re doing really well. Credit to them to able to win all their games at home. They’re not to be taken lightly at all.”

Two other clubs – Adelaide and Carlton – have also been issued with please explain letters by the AFL for their management of head knocks suffered respectively by Jordan Dawson and Harry McKay.

Originally published as Concussed Brisbane Lions co-captain Harris Andrews to miss QClash