Brisbane Lions have been rocked by news that Claye Beams has been ruled out for the rest of the AFL season following knee surgery.

The midfielder had hoped to return in a month but significant damage to the medial ligament in his left knee was found in Wednesday night’s operation.

The Lions will also be without skipper Tom Rockliff (broken ribs) for six weeks but have welcomed back Pearce Hanley for Sunday’s away clash with Greater Western Sydney.