The Blues said on Saturday night Kreuzer had been suffering from "concussive signs" although coach Brendon Bolton did not know exactly how the dominant big man had been hurt.

Kreuzer had been sick in the dressing room and is in doubt for next Sunday's clash against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

"He got some concussive signs and we'll see how he goes," Bolton said.

His absence was felt early in the third term against the Lions, who booted four of the opening five goals and had dominated the clearances, but the Blues steadied and prevailed by 38 points, leaving them with 6-5 record and firmly in contention for the finals.

But Bolton said he would not reappraise his pre-season expectations during the mid-season bye if the Blues topple the Saints.

"Our aim is really clear; we want to all our members ... to feel a sense of belonging," he said. "That is one of our season aims. Another aim is to be defined by pressure. We think, by and large, we have been defined by pressure – a little inconsistent today, however."

But the Blues will be determined to maintain the momentum generated through winning six of their past seven matches.

"Each week just throws another challenge at you," Bolton said. "We know St Kilda will be another challenge. You can't look too far ahead to the bye because the bye is still a fortnight away.

"We have got to keep equilibrium, get a plan together and then we have got to bring a more consistent effort against St Kilda."

The absence of injured skipper Marc Murphy and a quiet afternoon from Bryce Gibbs, held to only 12 disposals by former teammate Mitch Robinson, could have troubled the Blues, but the likes of Sam Kerridge, Ed Curnow, Zach Tuohy and Patrick Cripps found plenty of the ball.

"It's important that others step up, if that's the case," Bolton said. "Sam Kerridge carried a fair load today ... Zach Tuohy, I thought, provided some run off half-back for us, [Sam] Docherty continues to be consistent and, particularly in the second half, [Jacob] Weitering​ started to get going.

"There are some little signs. [Daniel] Gorringe​ started to take some marks forward, which is a good sign and Jed Lamb continues to hit the scoreboard ... but I would still describe it as inconsistent."

Lions small forward Allen Christensen has a broken collarbone after a heavy legal hit by Andrew Walker, compounding another rugged game for coach Justin Leppitsch.

With just the one win this season, pressure continues to build on Leppitsch but he insisted he and the Lions were "not letting despair get to us".