LIONS linchpin Simon Black has admitted that he'll start the AFL season undercooked after a slow recovery from groin surgery. But he says it is time the Lions made the final eight for the first time for four years.

Black, along with fellow co-captain Jonathan Brown, will make his first appearance in 2008 tomorrow night when Brisbane plays premiers Geelong in a NAB Challenge  match at Carrara.

The 2002 Brownlow Medallist had a fine 2007 season, finishing equal second in last year's count. But he was forced to have post-season surgery in October after playing with osteitis pubis for the second half of the year.

Black's rehabilitation has been stilted and he's only now fit enough to return to action just two practice games away from the club's March 22 season-opener against West Coast.

"It probably didn't settle as well as I would have liked but post-Christmas," Black said.

"Now it's come on really well and I've tried to play catch-up with the training to get back to where the other guys are. I probably will be behind where I want to be."

The Cats have named 14 of their grand final team in their squad for the Gold Coast clash including Paul Chapman for his first match of the year.

Skipper Tom Harley, Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel and Norm Smith Medallist Steve Johnson also return after being rested from the five-point NAB Cup quarter-final loss to St Kilda.

While Geelong scored a 71-point round one NAB Cup win over Melbourne, youthful Lions sides have lost both their pre-season matches to Essendon and the Kangaroos.

But Black said it was important for the Lions to flex their muscles with a victory before the regular season starts.

"Having a win is always good for your confidence so hopefully this week or next week going into round one it would be great to have a win," he said.

"That's the aim and playing a real good side like Geelong is a nice test for us.

"Hopefully some of us older heads can help out a bit but it's just important to get some match fitness before round one which is just three weeks away."

After finishing ninth last season, Black said the Lions had enough talent to make the finals for the first time since 2004.

"I'd be very disappointed if we didn't play finals and that's got to be a reality," he said.