Brisbane young gun Levi Ashcroft is being tipped for the task of filling the "massive void" caused by Lachie Neale's season-ending injury.
Dual Brownlow medallist Neale won't play again this year after tearing a calf in the Lions' 38-point qualifying final drubbing from Geelong.
Neale's injury diagnosis came with confirmation key forward Eric Hipwood, who missed the clash against the Cats, requires a knee reconstruction.
Lions stalwart Josh Dunkley nominated Levi Ashcroft to swing from his customary wing position and replace Neale in the midfield in Saturday night's semi-final against Gold Coast.
"Losing Lach and even Hippy, we lost them a couple of weeks ago (too) so it's a great opportunity for our young guys," Dunkley told reporters on Tuesday.
"It's similar sort of message to what we had a few weeks ago."
Dunkley said while Neale would be missed, Rising Star contender Levi Ashcroft had the tools to replace the co-captain in the midfield.
"Obviously a massive void, but we're confident that within our youth we can cover that," Dunkley said.
"The message is just having belief in what we do as a footy club.
"The culture, the development program that we run - everyone is ready to go when we need them.'
"And we've got a lot of guys that can fill that midfield void if we do lose a soldier.
"Levi Ashcroft plays on the wing, I have talked about him being really selfless for us as a team, and he's one of the guys that will put his hand up this week to take that (Neale) role."
Brisbane reviewed their heavy loss to Geelong on Monday with Dunkley saying there were "plenty of things" to improve.
"But as soon as we walked out of that meeting, it was all about this week," he said.
"You learn lessons along the way and it's about definitely implementing them moving forward.
"But at the same time, we've got another job this week that we're fully focused on."
That job is taking the wind from Gold Coast's sails after the Suns' stirring one-point elimination final away win against Fremantle.
"Ever since I moved up here to Brisbane, I've always thought whether or not it was a rivalry," said Dunkley, who joined the Lions from the Western Bulldogs at the end of 2022.
"And it certainly is, because it (Gold Coast) is just down the road and we play some ripping games against each other.
"Whether it's a final or whether it's a home and away game, I see it as the same thing.
"It's just another great opportunity - two clubs going at it, and then the winner obviously plays in a prelim next week against the Pies ... we know it's going to be a cracking contest."