Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley faces the ultra-difficult task of shifting the focus back to on-field matters when the Magpies tackle Brisbane on Friday night.

The buildup to the Gabba clash has been totally overshadowed by Collingwood president Eddie McGuire’s deeply regrettable comments regarding Sydney star Adam Goodes which saw him charged with breaching the AFL’s racial vilification policy.

Magpies defender Harry O’Brien was strongly critical of McGuire’s remarks, with Buckley pledging to remain in close contact with his star to ensure he was in the right frame of mind to take on the Lions.

“I’ve had conversations with him yesterday,” said Buckley of the Brazilian-born O’Brien, who also has African heritage.

Collingwood’s indigenous forward Andrew Krakouer will also be supported if he chooses to pull out of the game, Buckley said.

“I’ll sit down with the guys again tonight and tomorrow morning to see where their head space is at,” Buckley said.

“It’s a sensitive situation. It’s a sensitive time.

“If they feel for any reason it’s not within them to be able to go out and play a game of footy, well then we’ll support that.

“This is a moment in time that’s not a great event for Eddie or anyone related to him, the Collingwood Football Club or the AFL in general.”

With captain Jonathan Brown suspended and Tom Rockliff and Matthew Leuenberger among several key players absent through injury, the 14th-placed Lions will be well below full strength for the clash at the Gabba.

But tall utility Brent Staker said the Lions’ backs-to-the-wall win over Essendon a fortnight ago showed the team’s resilience in the face of adversity.

“Missing those guys, clearly they’re quality players, but the reserves have been in good form and they’ll fill the void,” Staker told reporters on Thursday.

“We should attack it the same way we attacked the Essendon game.”

The Bombers victory holds a special significance for Staker, who celebrated a win on his return from successive knee reconstructions that had kept him sidelined for almost two years.

But Staker knows the 11th-placed Magpies won’t be without motivation following a tumultuous week.

“We definitely expect them to come out all guns blazing,” Staker said.

“They’ve come off an interesting game last week and it’s been an interesting week for them.

“I’m sure that stuff won’t faze them. Footy is business.

“I expect them from the very first minute to be flat out.”