THE BRISBANE Lions will debut another key position player on Saturday, with Matthew Hammelmann to play his first game against Richmond at the MCG.
Hammelmann, 20, will be the fifth Lion to debut in 2016 after an excellent past four weeks in the NEAFL.
He will take the field just seven days after fellow Lions academy graduate Eric Hipwood played his first AFL game against West Coast.
Hammelmann is in his second year at the Lions and coach Justin Leppitsch confirmed the news to the playing group on Tuesday morning.
He has been on the rookie list but will be upgraded for Ryan Harwood, who suffered a knee injury in Saturday's loss against West Coast.
"I've obviously been a Lions supporter all my life, so it's a big day for me this weekend," Hammelmann said.
"Hopefully I'll do us proud."
