Chris Fagan insists the absence of a fit Dayne Zorko from the Brisbane Lions side to face Richmond is in the veteran's best interests.
But it also allows the Lions coach to remain in the lab, tinkering with his talent and "experimenting to see what works best for us".
Former captain Zorko, 34 and on a one-year contract, has missed the last three games with a calf injury as well as two other matches earlier in the season.
He trained strongly on Tuesday and is frustrated by the decision to leave him out against the Tigers with Fagan concentrating on the bigger picture.
"He's fit to play and he's champing at the bit to play but we'll give him another week," the coach said ahead of Thursday's Gabba clash.
"He's a really important player to us and we want to make sure he's right because he's been on that merry-go-round of soft tissue injuries this year.
"Nobody likes to play more than Zorks, but it's a long year and we need to make sure he's right to go.
"If it was a bit closer to the end of the year we'd probably play him.
"It's about looking after him, but the added bonus is others get an opportunity."
Fagan's call comes with fellow veterans Jack Gunston and Daniel Rich in an indefinite training block, the coach refusing to guarantee either an immediate AFL return after they were dropped earlier this month.
Their absences have given Jaspa Fletcher and Kai Lohmann opportunities, while midfield-forward Zac Bailey has enjoyed a prominent fortnight and Fagan has even flirted with fielding one less tall up front.
That lasted barely a half in last week's defeat of St Kilda before ruck-forward Darcy Fort was substituted on for the smaller Lohmann.
"We've learned over the last few weeks we have a couple of other guys that can step up," Fagan said.
"We're experimenting with that to see what works best for us.
"We've always had three (tall forwards), so it's just to have a look and see if a different way can work better for us."
Brisbane have been in the premiership conversation for the last four seasons but are yet to make a grand final in that time.
"If you keep doing the same thing all the time maybe you don't improve," Fagan said.
"The Baileys and (Hugh) McCluggages of the world, they've still got growth in them, haven't reached their peak at all.
"We're still experimenting with how do we get the maximum out of them? Where's the best place to play them?"
The third-placed Lions are 10-4 for the season, while the Tigers (6-7) are 12th, but have won three straight and are 3-1 since coach Damien Hardwick's sudden resignation.
It will be the sides' first meeting since the Lions' thrilling two-point elimination final victory - during which there were 17 lead changes - last September.
"Good rivalry building there ... a little bit of controversy but it was one of the great finals," Fagan said.
"They're building, we know it'll be on."
