The Lions have included Jason Roe, Scott Harding and first-gamer Bradd Dalziell to the senior team to take on the West Coast Eagles this Saturday night at the Gabba as the Club looks to urgently arrest its current two-game losing streak.
Dalziell, who has been knocking on the selection door for a number of weeks following a string of impressive performances with the Suncoast Lions reserves side, is set to make his senior AFL debut.
The 21 year-old was drafted from East Fremantle by the Lions with pick No.52 in the 2007 National Draft as a centreman who has the ability to find plenty of the ball.
The West Australian is one of the Club’s best endurance athletes, recording exceptional times in both the beep test and 3km time trial during the pre-season.
He becomes the fifth Lions to player to make his debut this season.
Roe returns for the first time since injuring his hamstring in the Lions’ Round 12 match against the Western Bulldogs. With Joel Macdonald still on the sidelines with an ankle injury, Roe will be a welcome addition to the Lions defence.
Harding also returns after injuring his knee against Fremantle in Round 11.
Lions Co-captains Simon Black and Jonathan Brown have been passed fit by the Club's medical staff and have been named in the selected side.
Tough midfielder Jed Adcock and ruckman Matthew Leuenberger have been forced to miss through injury while Troy Selwood has been omitted.
Adcock will miss for the first time in 43 matches after injuring his quad during Wednesday’s training session at the Gabba.
Meanwhile, Leuenberger underwent surgery on an injured knee earlier in the week which will keep him out of action for around three months – effectively ending his 2008 season prematurely.
The full Lions team is:
B: Josh Drummond (39), Daniel Merrett (21), Joel Patfull (24)
HB: Robert Copeland (30), Jason Roe (29), Ashley McGrath (9)
C: Anthony Corrie (18), Simon Black (20), Tim Notting (8)
HF: Michael Rischitelli (35), Jonathan Brown (16), Jared Brennan (17)
F: Cheynee Stiller (32), Daniel Bradshaw (36), Mitch Clark (1)
Foll: Jamie Charman (19), Luke Power (6), Travis Johnstone (4)
Int: Tom Collier (22), Bradd Dalziell (34), Rhan Hooper (33), Scott Harding (5)
Emerg: Albert Proud (2), Scott Clouston (41), James Hawksley (12)
IN: Jason Roe, Bradd Dalziell, Scott Harding
OUT: Matthew Leuenberger (knee), Jed Adcock (quad), Troy Selwood (omit)
New: Bradd Dalziell (East Fremantle)
