BRISBANE coach Craig Starcevich expects a hungry and desperate response from his team against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night as it tries to dig itself out of a "mini crisis".

The Lions are coming off a club-record defeat to Melbourne, leaving them with a 1-2 win-loss record, ahead of hosting the Giants at Brighton Homes Arena.

Although not immune to slow starts (it was also 1-2 last season before making the Grand Final), Brisbane has been hit with a spate of injuries that is now testing its depth.

Ally Anderson (hamstring) and Courtney Hodder (personal reasons) are yet to play in 2026, while Ruby Svarc (concussion), Marlo Graham (concussion) and Neasa Dooley (collarbone) will all be absent in round four after suffering injuries against the Demons.

"Every year there's no guarantees," Starcevich said on Friday morning.

"We'd much rather be three-and-zip rather than chasing the game a little bit. It's something we've done before, but it's not preferable.

"It does make us hungry and desperate, which I like. If you have your team coming in with that attitude every week, that's where you want them to be, but you'd much rather have a better win-loss record."

Starcevich said he had spoken with the team's leaders early in the week as they seek to navigate the troubled waters.

"They're strong and positive and terrific people and I'm expecting them to lead us through this mini crisis and get us back on track again," he said.

The Lions have named debutants Asher Fearn-Wannan, who was pick No.19 in last year's Telstra AFLW Draft, and Madi Evans to face the Giants.

"We always tell our group to be ready for the unexpected and we've had a bit of that this year, where we've been able to bring new people in on the back of misfortune to others," he said.

"The key for people coming in is to take your opportunity.

"When Nat Grider started and Jade Ellenger started, it was on the back of someone being out or hurt and they've gone on to forge really strong careers.

"You've got to start somewhere, and you've got to get your opportunity somehow – it doesn't really matter how it is – and grab it."

Starcevich said he was hoping Dooley would be available "by the end of the year" following surgery to her collarbone during the week.