THE BRISBANE Lions have ruled full-forward Daniel Bradshaw out of Saturday night's crucial game against the Sydney Swans at the SCG.

Bradshaw strained a quad muscle in the final quarter of last weekend's victory over Port Adelaide, though he returned to the ground to finish the game.

Vice-captain Luke Power said Bradshaw, who kicked five goals against Port, had to be rested to ensure he was ready for the club's finals campaign.

"It is a big loss," Power said from the Gabba on Tuesday afternoon.

"Obviously everyone knows how important he is to our structure and to our side and how much pressure he takes off Browny (Jonathan Brown) so he's a massive loss.

"He played out the game so obviously he's pulled up a bit tight and sore and we just needed to give him a week off and get him cherry ripe for next week."

The Lions will also have to shoulder an absence at the other end of the ground, with full-back Daniel Merrett straining his hamstring in the second term of the Port Adelaide clash.

Power said the conservative approach with Bradshaw and Merrett did not suggest the club had given up hopes of securing a home final.

Should the Lions beat the Swans, they will move to sixth spot and host the loser of Saturday afternoon's match between Carlton and Adelaide in an elimination final at the Gabba.

"We're still gunning for a home final," Power said.

"We believe that we can go to Sydney and give it our best and win without quality players.

"We've shown this year that we've been missing quality players and we've been able to win games."

However, Power says a greater spread of goalkickers will be required to beat the Swans and that those responsibilities extend to Michael Rischitelli and himself.

Rischitelli booted three important goals against Port Adelaide, including one in the last term to give the Lions the lead.

Power added that coach Michael Voss could look to the Lions reserves side to fill the gaps in the senior forward line.

"Tim Notting kicked [five] goals in the seconds. He's showed that he can play that role," Power said.

"Lachie Henderson has been in good form kicking goals [and] I think Tommy Rockliff and Rhan Hooper were a couple who got among the goals [too] so there are plenty of options up there.

"Jason Roe is another one who's a pretty experienced player who could come in and do a really good job for us."

Power even suggested emerging ruckman Matthew Leuenberger could be a shock inclusion for his first game since round three.

The 21-year-old made his return from knee surgery complications to play half a reserves game on the weekend.

First-choice ruckman Mitch Clark otherwise faces the task of containing Swans pair Darren Jolly and Mike Pyke.

"I'd probably say that he's got a bit more match practice to get under his belt," Power said of Leuenberger.

"But funnier things have happened in football and he could very well be a surprise call-up this week."