Brisbane young gun Tom Rockliff says the Lions should not expect returning captain Jonathan Brown to be their saviour.

Brown has been sidelined since suffering serious facial injuries in round one, but hopes to receive a medical clearance on Thursday for Saturday night's Gabba clash with North Melbourne.

Rockliff - a Lions leadership group member - was also keeping his fingers crossed Brown would receive the green light.

But Rockliff said sparking a drought-breaking win for the dead-last Lions should not be Brown's responsibility.

"It is not up to Jonathan Brown to come back and be our saviour," he said.

"It is not up to Jonathan Brown to get us a win.

"It is going to take 22 of us, that's the most important thing - but we all know that."

The Lions have suffered their worst start to a season (0-7) without the inspirational forward.

Brown has played barely three quarters this season due to the sickening collision with Fremantle fullback Luke McPharlin's knee in the opening round.

But the way Rockliff sees it, their horror run is due to the Lions trying too hard in Brown's absence - not their skipper's unavailability.

"All the boys have been putting in 110 per cent and that is what has been costing us - our effort is too good," he said.

"We are stepping away from our structures.

"Our intent is good but we are too focussed on stuff other than playing our role.

"We've been in winning positions but let ourselves down."

Brown has a history of coming back with a bang - most notably in 2005 when he equalled a then club-record eight goals on Essendon returning from a five-game ban.

Rockliff tipped Brown to hit the ground running on Saturday night if he gets the all-clear from the medical staff.

"If you take the best player out of any team it is going to hurt you," he said.

"Browny is such a good leader out there, takes the big marks and kicks goals and that is what we have been lacking."

Asked if Brown could help the Lions salvage their season, Rockliff said: "I don't think salvage is the right word.

"We have still got a lot of games left this season.

"I know we have started poorly ... but we are definitely seeing positives.

"Jesse O'Brien has been a shining light, Rohan Bewick has stepped up, others have lifted when they have had to - there's definitely a lot we can take out of this season."

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