McGrath was one of four changes to the team that defeated Melbourne by 52-points at the Gabba last Sunday. Mitch Clark, Albert Proud and Troy Selwood were also included in the final team at the expense of Travis Johnstone (hamstring), James Polkinghorne (AC Joint), Lachlan Henderson and Scott Harding (omit).
Clark is set to play his first senior match of the 2008 season after overcoming a quad strain suffered during the pre-season. The 198cm key forward will be a welcome addition to the Lions attack which already boasts the likes of Daniel Bradshaw and Jonathan Brown.
McGrath, who was drafted from South Fremantle back in 2000, enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2003 when he won the Lions’ Best Rookie Award and was an important member of the team’s premiership triumph over Collingwood.
Widely regarded as a dangerous small crumbing forward, McGrath was the Club’s second top goal-kicker in 2005 and kicked the third most goals at the Club in 2007 despite missing seven matches through injury.
The Lions full team is:
B: Robert Copeland (30), Daniel Merrett (21), Joel Patfull (24)
HB: Ashley McGrath (9), Joel Macdonald (26), Jed Adcock (7)
C: Anthony Corrie (18), Simon Black (20), Tim Notting (8)
HF: Michael Rischitelli (35), Jonathan Brown (16), Justin Sherman (11)
F: Rhan Hooper (33), Daniel Bradshaw (36), Mitch Clark (1)
Foll: Jamie Charman (19), Luke Power (6), Albert Proud (2)
Int: Matthew Leuenberger (23), Cheynee Stiller (32), Troy Selwood (28), Jared Brennan (17)
Emerg: Scott Harding (5), Lachlan Henderson (14), Tom Collier (22)
IN: Ashley McGrath, Mitch Clark, Troy Selwood, Albert Proud
OUT: Travis Johnstone (hamstring), James Polkinghorne (AC Joint), Lachlan Henderson, Scott Harding (omit)
MILESTONES: Ashley McGrath (100 games)
