Shaun Grigg will miss Redan's Ballarat Football League finals campaign.
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Lions coach Jarrett Giampaolo said knee trouble had ended Grigg's season.
"He hasn't been able to get it right. He won't play again this year," he said.
The injury was a major factor in Grigg calling time on his AFL career at Richmond mid-season - allowing him to sign with Redan, where he played his junior football before being drafted by Carlton.
Grigg managed just three games with the Lions, with him missing their latest outing against Melton on Saturday.
Redan faces Darley in an elimination final at Darley Park on Saturday after finishing sixth, with losses in their last two home and away games.
While there will be no Grigg, match-winning midfielder Lachie George will return after missing one match with suspension and Dean Chester, who was a late withdrawal against Melton, will also be back.
Ruckman Orren Stephenson is also expected to return after one week on the sidelines, although Giampaolo stopped short of declaring the veteran as a certain starter.
"He will most likely come back in," he told a final press conference on Wednesday.
Giampaolo said any other changes would depend on some young players getting through training and then the match committee making the call.
He said having George, Chester and Stephenson back would make a significant impact, given it would change the side's structure.
Giampaolo said he expected a big response from players after a disappointing 70-point loss to Melton.
"Everyone's on the same page where things went wrong.and we need to improve. I think we'll be able to change the way we play quickly.