Brisbane Lions premiership defender Brandon Starcevich’s latest concussion has cast a cloud over his future at the club, with reports the two parties are “a far way apart” on a new deal.

Starcevich went down after a bump from Swan Justin McInerney, who was offered a three-match ban after Brisbane’s thrilling grand final rematch win on Saturday.

He was ruled out with concussion and entered protocols meaning the WA-product will miss next week’s clash against West Coast.

Worryingly it is the third concussion Starcevich has suffered in the past eight months and second in the past three weeks.

The 25-year-old is out of contract with the Lions at the end of this season and would become a restricted free agent but his latest knock has the club concerned over his long-term future.

“As things stand they are a far way apart — the player and the club,” chief Herald Sun reporter Jay Clark told Fox Footy.

“It’s going to be a difficult one. The concussion has to play a factor in these sorts of contract calls from the clubs.

“They love Brandon Starcevich, but this sort of stuff is a concern. When you get the repeat concussions, the accumulative effect of that is the really big worry.

“It can be a bit of a cloud.”

The West Australian reported West Coast were monitoring Starcevich as they look to bolster their list with homegrown talent but AFL great David King warned against going all in for the premiership winner.

With several players forced into medical retirement in recent seasons due to ongoing concussion issues, he questioned whether Starcevich is worth the risk.

“This is going to sound really harsh. But if I’m a Western Australian club with an offer on the table for him and he suffers another concussion... I’m ripping it off the table,” King said.

“I’m not investing significant portions of the salary cap in a player that may or may not be there for the long term. You can’t offer a six-year deal. You can’t have the Angus Brayshaw situation come for a player you’re acquiring via free agency and paying good money for.

“As harsh as that sounds, I think it’s going to be the norm.”