Brisbane Lions make Simon Black wait another week for AFL return Simon Black will wait at least another week before returning to the Brisbane Lions. BRISBANE will take on the best midfield in the AFL without blue chip on-baller Simon Black, who is set to spend one more week in the reserves. The Lions will resist the temptation to throw the classy midfielder back into the engine room for Sunday's clash with premiers Sydney at the SCG, where Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh will celebrate his 200-game milestone. Black has played two matches in the NEAFL in his comeback from a knee injury and racked up a total of 50 disposals in limited minutes. But Brisbane want the triple premiership star to play a full game in the reserves before being elevated back into the seniors, regardless of their growing casualty ward, who they are playing or their 2-3 win-loss record. The Lions prefer to have a 100 per cent fit Black available for the 16 games to follow rather than rush him back for the showdown with the Swans and risk further injury. Brisbane will be rank outsiders against the Swans but are a sneaky chance of beating West Coast at the Gabba the following round, so keeping their powder dry with Black could reap dividends. The Lions reserves play the Swans at 9.30am on Sunday at the SCG. Brisbane's midfield has been ravaged by injuries, with Daniel Rich (shoulder), Claye Beams (knee) and Jared Polec (ankle) all out of action. Brisbane defender Matt Maguire (leg) is unlikely to play against the Swans while Pearce Hanley will be rushed back after serving a one-match suspension last weekend. The Lions' depleted on-ball division will face a mighty midfield led by McVeigh, who is enjoying a stellar start to the season for a Sydney team that is fifth on the ladder with four wins from five starts. Along with Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Ryan O'Keefe and Kieren Jack, McVeigh has been a model of consistency in 2013, averaging 25 disposals a match and kicking a team-high 11 goals. The 28-year-old also averaged 25 touches a game throughout 2012, which finished with McVeigh holding the premiership cup aloft at the MCG on grand final day. McVeigh said he was in career-best form ahead of the clash with Brisbane. "I think I've probably had my best pre-season running-wise and skill-wise and I've really improved in those areas and I think that's led into a good start to the season," he said. I think this has been my most consistent start to a year but we're only five games in, so the really good players play that (way) for the whole year. McVeigh said missing out on Sydney's triumphant 2005 grand final side was the catalyst for a career revival. "I sat down after '05 and the coaches were really disappointed in me and that really drove me to want to get better," he said.