Hospital scare for Gardiner

BRISBANE Lions key defender Darcy Gardiner could miss up to five weeks of football after being forced in to hospital to have fluid removed from his lungs following a heavy knock in last Saturday’s win over St Kilda.

Gardiner was still in hospital in Brisbane on Tuesday morning and has also suffered fractured ribs after landing awkwardly on his back in the third quarter of the game at the Gabba.

The 26-year-old somehow played out the match, but was taken to hospital straight after for treatment after feeling “a bit crook”.

It comes as all Brisbane players will get four days off ahead of a bye this weekend, with the Lions on top of the ladder ahead of a blockbuster showdown with Melbourne next Thursday, Brisbane’s first game at the MCG since the opening round of the 2020 season.

Lions captain Dayne Zorko suffered a minor hamstring strain in last Saturday’s win over St Kilda, but may play against the Demons.