The team will be bolstered by the returns of Simon Black (flu), Ash McGrath (hamstring) and James Polkinghorne (quad) who have been sidelined in recent weeks while Jesse O’Brien will line-up for his first ever senior AFL match.
Meanwhile, Lions leading goal-kicker Brendan Fevola will miss his much-anticipated rematch against his former side this Thursday night with a groin injury.
Fevola was ruled out of the Lions’ team after he was unable to complete the team’s final training session on Tuesday afternoon.
Fevola’s withdrawal - coupled with skipper Jonathan Brown’s absence - means that the Lions will face the Blues without their two primary weapons up forward.
However, Aaron Cornelius and Brent Staker will be confident in shouldering the key forward responsibilities after kicking three goals apiece in the team’s last outing.
Andrew Raines, Troy Selwood and James Hawksley were also omitted from the side that lost to Richmond at the Gabba prior to the Split Round.
Black - arguably the most decorated player in Club history - will resume his role as the midfield general after missing the Tigers’ clash with the flu.
Polkinghorne returns after three games on the sidelines while McGrath has made a quicker than expected recovery from a hamstring injury suffered back in Round 11 against North Melbourne.
As nominated by Senior Coach Michael Voss earlier this week, O’Brien has earned his senior call-up after impressing with the Lions Reserves side over the past month.
The full Lions Round 14 team is as follows:
B: Joel Patfull (24), Daniel Merrett (21), Ashley McGrath (9)
HB: Travis Johnstone (4), Tom Collier (22), Sam Sheldon (3)
C: Justin Sherman (11), Daniel Rich (10), Tom Rockliff (38)
HF: Luke Power (6), Jared Brennan (17), Amon Buchanan (33)
F: Todd Banfield (18), Brent Staker (14), Aaron Cornelius (44)
Foll: Mitch Clark (1), Michael Rischitelli (35), Simon Black (20)
Int: Matthew Leuenberger (23), Jack Redden (30), James Polkinghorne (31), Jesse O’Brien (34)
Emerg: James Hawksley (12), Matt Austin (8), Andrew Raines (29)
IN: Ashley McGrath, Simon Black, James Polkinghorne, Jesse O’Brien
OUT: Brendan Fevola (Groin), Andrew Raines (Omitted), Troy Selwood (Omitted), James Hawksley (Omitted)
MILESTONES: -
NEW: Jesse O’Brien - speedy wingman/half-forward.
Represented South Australia in the 2009 AFL U18 Championships.
2009 AFL Draft 5th Round Selection, No.73 overall.
