Brisbane Lions defender Daniel Merrett to miss clash with Gold Coast Suns with groin injury Daniel Merrett last played against the Cats on June 23. BRISBANE Lions will again be without key defender Daniel Merrett for Saturday's Q-clash 6 against the Suns. The vice-captain was a late withdrawal from the side that lost to competition leaders Hawthorn in Launceston on Sunday. Merrett is battling a groin injury and coach Michael Voss today conceded he was resigned to going into the must-win local derby without his most experienced defender. "I would consider it at this point in time unlikely," Voss said of the defender's availability. Voss said Merrett would be given a final chance at training on Wednesday but he was preparing for the worst. The game has extra significance for Voss, who is out of contract at the end of the year and has faced scrutiny over his position. Derbies always carry extra weight and Voss was quick to remind everyone where the Suns sat in Queensland football's hierarchy. "They'll always be little brother," he said.