Key Lion suffers brutal injury blow on eve of finals

Brisbane's Eric Hipwood is set to miss up to four weeks with a calf injury according to AFL Media's Michael Whiting.

Hipwood suffered the injury during Brisbane's 57-point win over Fremantle in Perth and played out the second half in pain.

The injury comes at a cruel time for both the player and club with one round left in the home and away season.

The 27-year-old premiership player has kicked 25 goals from 22 games this season.

Given the Lions have qualified for September already, Hipwood could miss Round 24, the pre-finals bye and weeks one and two of the finals series if he takes the full four weeks to recover.

The disappointing news comes on the back of coach Chris Fagan giving a positive injury update on both Jarrod Berry and Lachie Neale on SEN Breakfast.

BERRY and NEALE

Brisbane midfielder Jarrod Berry may not miss any footy despite dislocating his shoulder in Friday’s win over Fremantle.

Berry suffered the injury late in the clash after being pushed into the Optus Stadium turf, with his left shoulder popping out.

Even though a dislocated shoulder can sometimes cause players to miss extended periods, Fagan says there’s a level of optimism around Berry’s initial diagnosis to the level that he may not have to miss any football.

While there’s a chance he could play on Sunday against Hawthorn at the Gabba, Fagan expects the Lions to be cautious with the 27-year-old if there are any doubts over his fitness, with a likely scenario being a first week of finals return.

“We need a bit more information on that one,” Fagan told SEN's Fireball.

“There was a level of optimism around that he would be able to keep going, but whether that's whether he needs a week off before finals, we’re not sure yet. That will sort of be decided during the week.

“But I think if there's any doubt this week, he doesn't play because you've got the bye the week after.

“That effectively gives him a three-week period to sort of build the strength back up in the shoulder.

“So, it's probably more likely that he doesn't play this week, and we just get him ready for that first week of finals.”

Another Lion who could return for the first week of September is co-captain Lachie Neale who is currently rehabbing a torn quad.

According to Fagan, Neale is making great progress as he ticks the boxes to return for finals footy.

“If you look at him, he's running really well,” Fagan said.

“It's just the action of kicking that's a threat to this particular type of injury that he's got.

“So, we'll take the maximum time to get him right, and he'll play in week one of the finals.”

Brisbane can lock in a top-four spot with a win on Sunday night (AEST) against Hawthorn at the Gabba.

A loss could see them drop to as low as eighth.