Relief from a sickening head clash has finally come for Jonathan Brown, but the recovering Brisbane Lions captain reckons his suffering will return this weekend.

The AFL hardman revealed symptoms of his career's worst concussion had only just subsided, conceding he had been "crook for a couple of weeks".

However, Brown predicted his discomfort would return while watching yet another AFL derby clash with the Gold Coast Suns from the grandstand.

Brown missed May's inaugural "Q-Clash" with the Suns while nursing facial fractures - and he will be doing the same at the Gabba on Saturday night after his horror knock against Geelong on July 17.

The derby will be the third match Brown has missed since suffering the season-ending collision that sparked many to question his aggressive playing style.

But Brown hoped the Lions would give him something to smile about by fulltime on Saturday night after cutting a frustrated figure on the sidelines - most notably after Adelaide's come-from-behind five-point win over Brisbane.

"Watching last Sunday's game from the coaches box at the Gabba and not being able to do anything to stop Adelaide's run-on in that last quarter was excruciating," Brown told the Lions website.

"What's also difficult to swallow from a personal point of view is the fact I'm going to miss my chance to have a crack at the Gold Coast Suns this Saturday night.

"Like our fans, I was devastated to watch the boys go down in the first ever Q-Clash and had round 21 pencilled in my diary as a chance for the club to get some sort of retribution.

"But the boys have pretty long memories and will be doing everything possible to make sure that we get the win this time to give our Queensland fans at least something to brag about."

Brown said his health had been left reeling from his much publicised hit - but still considered himself lucky.

"It's the first time I've ever been knocked out like that in my career and had concussive symptoms like being crook for a couple of weeks," he said.

"But that's pretty good odds considering I'm in my 13th season."

The likes of ex-coach Leigh Matthews called into question Brown's bold approach after the injury, and the Lions captain said he was reminded again of the debate at a recent promotional lunch in Melbourne.

"I was asked whether there's a fine line between being courageous and being reckless or, as they said, stupid courageous - and I guess there is a fine line," he said.

"But in my defence, I genuinely thought I was going to take that mark (against Geelong).

"I know I've been criticised for not having a look, but next year I'll do the same thing, take the mark and prove everyone wrong."

Meanwhile, the loss of defender Joel Patfull (broken hand) for the rest of the season has been softened by the return of superboot Josh Drummond against the Suns.

Drummond was one of the new faces in a 22-strong squad named on Thursday, along with Matt Maguire and Mitch Golby.

Maguire will return at fullback after a week in the reserves, while Golby will start on the bench in just his fifth senior AFL game.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP