CAM ELLIS-YOLMEN needs to work harder away from the contest to force his way back into Brisbane's midfield, a frank Lions coach Chris Fagan said on Friday.
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Ellis-Yolmen was a notable omission for Brisbane's final Marsh Community Series match against Carlton on Sunday after he struggled to make an impact against Port Adelaide two weeks ago.
Fagan said although there was an adjustment period to fit into a new team and structure, Ellis-Yolmen needed to be better.
"His form just hasn't quite been good enough," Fagan said.
"He's aware of that.
"His inside ball stuff is a pretty strong feature of his game, he just needs to make sure he works hard on the outside as well.
"He'll be looking forward to putting in a good performance in the reserves and I'm sure he will."
Brisbane's reserves team is also travelling to Melbourne and will play the Northern Blues in a curtain-raiser at Ikon Park.
Ellis-Yolmen being dropped has paved the way for draftee Deven Robertson to make his debut.
Fagan confirmed the No.22 pick would make the final cut from Brisbane's 30-man squad and then hinted the teenage West Australian was in the mix for round one.
"We're really happy with his progress," he said.
"He's a competitor and he does everything he can every day to improve. He's got an amazing attitude and I just love that about him.
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"That matters more than anything else.
"You're always trying to learn about your players and we haven't seen him against opposition yet so it will be a good chance to have a look at that and see if he can put his hand up for round one."
Fagan said, barring injuries, Brisbane was still debating "two or three" spots for the team that will face Hawthorn at the MCG on March 22.
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