Wounded St Kilda have bigger AFL names battling for fitness but Brisbane ruckman Matthew Leuenberger believes his partner-in-crime, Brent Moloney, is just as crucial for Saturday night’s Gabba clash.

Moloney strained his hamstring late in the Lions’ costly nine-point loss to Port Adelaide and is in danger of joining fellow midfielder Simon Black on the sidelines.

The former Melbourne club champion has been among Brisbane’s shining lights in his maiden season at the Gabba and built up a superb combination with Leuenberger at the stoppages.

Leuenberger, also rested from training on Wednesday to overcome hamstring tightness, said Moloney looked on track to play in what would be a major relief to the A-grade ruckman.

“He’s a very important player for us,” the 25-year-old said.

“He’s probably my favourite player to play with and he’s awesome in the contest so hopefully he gets up.

“He’s an elite clearance player and that’s his biggest strength so it hasn’t been too hard to build a chemistry with him.

“It’s been an enjoyable journey so far and hopefully for a few more years to come.”

Despite receiving an injection to alleviate his own hamstring problem, Leuenberger insisted he’d be a certain starter against the Saints.

St Kilda have their own worries with Nick Riewoldt (foot), Lenny Hayes (hamstring) and James Gwilt (knee) all injured in the 101-point hammering by Geelong – the club’s worst loss in a decade.

Gwilt’s absence would be just as painful as star’s Riewoldt and Hayes due to their already-threadbare defensive stocks.

But Leuenberger stressed the Lions would not be underestimating the 16th-placed Saints, who Brisbane have never beaten under Michael Voss.

“You always have to be wary when you come up against sides that have been whacked,” he said. “They want to come out and prove that they’re competitive and we’ve been in that boat before and how we’ve approached it.”