The Brisbane Lions have named their team for this Saturday’s clash against Fremantle, with the Lions’ tenth debutant for the season among those named.
Irishman Niall McKeever has been included this week after impressing the Lions’ match committee with his outstanding performance for the Queensland state team last week in WA.
McKeever is a 196cm key position player who has shown great recent form in the back line. He is also a handy forward and can pinch-hit in the ruck - just what the doctor ordered for the Lions after losing leading goalkicker and backup ruckman Mitch Clark to an ankle injury last week.
McKeever came to the Lions from County Antrim, Ireland at Pick No. 67 in the 2009 Rookie Draft. He was moved to the senior list this week, making him the third Lions rookie to be elevated this season alongside Broc McCauley and Mitch Golby.
McKeever is one of five changes to the Lions’ side this week.
Forward duo Jesse O’Brien and Bryce Retzlaff have both been recalled to the senior side to boost the Lions forward line in the absence of Clark and Todd Banfield, who was another victim of injury last week.
Tagger Andrew Raines and backman Cheynee Stiller will also return for the Lions.
Patrick Karnezis has retained his place in the senior side after an outstanding debut last week against Richmond, kicking two goals from his first two kicks of senior football. Karnezis will start in the forward pocket.
Josh Drummond will unfortunately not line up this week due to soreness, while Tom Collier and Josh Green have both been omitted.
The full Lions team for Round 14 is below:
B: Daniel Rich (10), Matt Maguire (36), Ashley McGrath (9)
HB: Pearce Hanley (11), Joel Patfull (24), Mitch Golby (41)
C: Luke Power (6), Simon Black (20), Tom Rockliff (38)
HF: Rohan Bewick (43), Bryce Retzlaff (37), Sam Sheldon (3)
F: Patrick Karnezis (28), Jonathan Brown (16), Jesse O’Brien (34)
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger (23), James Polkinghorne (31), Jack Redden (30)
Int: Niall McKeever (40), Andrew Raines (29), Cheynee Stiller (32), Ryan Harwood (26)
Emer: Josh Green (42), James Hawksley (12), Matt Austin (8)
In: Bryce Retzlaff, Cheynee Stiller, Jesse O’Brien, Niall McKeever, Andrew Raines
Out: Todd Banfield (hamstring), Josh Drummond (soreness), Mitch Clark (ankle), Tom Collier (omitted), Josh Green (omitted)
Milestones: Niall McKeever (1st game)
