Skipper Jonathan Brown will re-join the Lions side this weekend against North Melbourne after eight weeks on the sidelines.
This week’s team will also feature two more new faces, including the Lions’ seventh debutant for 2011, midfielder Josh Green and 22 year-old forward Matt Austin.
Green was picked up by the Lions at Pick No.32 in the 2010 NAB AFL National Draft and has regularly been among the best on ground for the Lions Reserves all season.
Green is a blisteringly quick midfielder with great ability to run and carry, and his outstanding recent performances against Redlands and GWS have caught the eye of the Lions match committee.
Green follows in the footsteps of fellow young Lions Ryan Lester, Rohan Bewick, Claye Beams, Jared Polec, Broc McCauley and Bryce Retzlaff who have all made their senior debut this season.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Brown has this morning received medical clearance and will return for the Lions at full forward.
Brown suffered multiple facial fractures in Round 1 following a collision with Fremantle's Luke McPharlin, leaving him sidelined to recover for eight weeks.
Brown met with his surgeon, Dr Alistair Reid, this morning, where he underwent a final check and was declared fit to play.
Brown, Green and Austin have been selected in place of Ryan Harwood (omitted), Ash McGrath, who has some minor soreness in his hamstring, and Josh Drummond, who underwent knee surgery on Tuesday.
Veteran Simon Black is set to play his 148th career match at the Gabba on Saturday which will give him the all-time record of most games played at the venue. His current total of 147 games at the Gabba is shared by former teammates Michael Voss and Nigel Lappin.
The full Lions team for Round 9 is as follows:
B: Joel Patfull (24), Matt Maguire (36), Jed Adcock (7)
HB: Pearce Hanley (11), Daniel Merrett (21), Cheynee Stiller (32)
C: Daniel Rich (10), Tom Rockliff (38), Jesse O’Brien (34)
HF: Sam Sheldon (3), Mitchell Clark (1), Luke Power (6)
F: Todd Banfield (18), Jonathan Brown (16), James Polkinghorne (31)
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger (23), Jack Redden (30), Simon Black (20)
Int: Matt Austin (8), Josh Green (42), Rohan Bewick (43), Bryce Retzlaff (37)
Emer: Tom Collier (22), Ryan Harwood (26), Claye Beams (17)
IN: Jonathan Brown, Matt Austin, Josh Green
OUT: Josh Drummond (knee), Ash McGrath (hamstring), Ryan Harwood (omitted)
Lions name Round 9 squad
Brisbane Lions skipper Jonathan Brown has this morning received medical clearance and is available for selection to play this Saturday night.