Brisbane’s AFL injury curse has worsened dramatically after Jaden McGrath, Sam Mayes and Claye Beams all suffered setbacks on Monday.
First-year player McGrath has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in the navicular bone in his foot and will miss between two and three months of football.
McGrath, who has played in every Lions pre-season and premiership game this year, pulled up sore after Saturday night’s loss to Richmond at the Gabba.
Mayes also reported pain in his foot after the weekend’s game, with his scans also revealing a stress reaction.
It remains to be seen how long he will be out, although he will miss at least two weeks and was wearing a moonboot on Monday as the injury settles.
And to top it all off, Beams will miss the next week and possibly two after a freak accident at training.
Beams broke his little toe after catching on the side of the pool at a team session on Monday morning.
“It’s disappointing for these three players to be spending time out with injury, especially at a time when we require all players available to field our best possible team so we can get our season back on track,” Lions general manager of football Dean Warren said.
“Jaden has been really impressive in his first year of AFL footy and we will be doing all we can to ensure he gets back fit and healthy from this long-term injury.”
McGrath, Mayes and Beams join a lengthy Brisbane injury list, which includes Pearce Hanley (hip), Michael Close (knee), Jono Freeman (Back), Trent West (knee), Archie Smith (knee) and Cian Hanley (knee).
Key defender Daniel Merrett (hamstring) is expected to miss another week while Ryan Harwood (groin) and Jackson Paine (shoulder) could return through the NEAFL this week.
Captain Tom Rockliff (broken ribs/punctured lung) will be monitored during training this week before a decision is made on his return for this Sundays game against West Coast at the Gabba.
Despite high pre-season hopes Brisbane are winless so far this season and were thrashed to the tune of 79 points by Richmond on Saturday.
