AFTER being dealt a "savage" injury hand this season, Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich says his team has nothing to lose ahead of Sunday's do-or-die game against Hawthorn.

Grand finalists the past four seasons, including winning the 2023 premiership, the Lions have a 2-6 record and are clinging to a mathematical hope of making the top eight if they win their final four matches.

It's been a difficult season for the perennial premiership contenders, battling form and injury to key players.

All-Australian half-forward Courtney Hodder has been unavailable all season, confirming earlier in the week she is pregnant.

"It's lovely," Starcevich said with a huge smile on Thursday.

"It's part of our sport that's different to the men's landscape.

"There's such a lot of care and joy for Courtney and we're just ecstatic to hear what's about to eventuate. We miss her."

Hodder's absence has been glaring for a team that is struggling to score, but she's not the only swift forward that has been unavailable.

Irishwoman Neasa Dooley has not played since the opening minutes of round three when she suffered a shoulder injury, while Ruby Svarc has missed with concussion and is now absent with a jaw injury.

Starcevich said the trio's prolonged absence had been a double whammy.

"We're a team who like to get it into our forward half of the ground and keep it in there and that's on the back of those three in particular with their speed and excitement, but also what they do defensively.

"It makes it hard for the opposition to move the ball against you when they're trying to exit that part of the ground.

"They're key players for us."

Jade Ellenger is expected to return from a fractured wrist against the Hawks.

"There's nothing to lose. Let's get out there and give ourselves the best chance," Starcevich said.

"We've been dealt a savage hand this year … some of it out of our control.

"The upside is we've had great opportunity to expose new players to our group, who are now really starting to shine.

"You're not expecting those players to be the ones driving you towards results … they should be finding their way.

"At the moment the responsibility is they are out there doing some heavy lifting.

"There's not much in it across the comp. Hawthorn are around us, a respected opponent … an opponent we give ourselves a good chance against."