The Brisbane Lions were hit with a major blow ahead of Sunday’s AFL clash with Melbourne at the Gabba after key defender Matt Maguire was ruled out for a month with an elbow injury.

The Lions had been hopeful the ex-Saints fullback would run out against the Demons as they looked to seal back-to-back wins but scans revealed “soft tissue damage”.

Maguire injured himself in a marking contest in the first quarter of last round’s 58-point thumping of the Western Bulldogs.

The injury may force Lions coach Michael Voss to re-think using regular fullback Daniel Merrett in the forward line against Melbourne.

Maguire’s injury counters Melbourne’s loss of forward and ex-Lion Mitch Clark for the rest of the season with a foot injury.