The Vodafone Brisbane Lions will face reigning premiers Geelong in a NAB Challenge match on Friday night at Carrara.

The Lions, who have been severely undermanned in their pre-season matches against both Essendon and North Melbourne, will welcome back a handful of senior players including co-captains Jonathan Brown, Luke Power and Simon Black.

Brown will play his first match of the year after being rested for the opening two rounds while Black will have his first official hit out after recovering from a groin injury.

The Lions have also included Michael Rischitelli and Joel Macdonald into the squad of 29 players for the first time in 2008. 

MATCH DETAILS
Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats
Friday 29 February 2008
Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara @ 7:40pm (local time)

LIONS SQUAD
2. Albert Proud
4. Travis Johnstone
6. Luke Power
7. Jed Adcock
8. Tim Notting
11. Justin Sherman
14. Lachlan Henderson
16. Jonathan Brown
17. Jared Brennan
18. Anthony Corrie
19. Jamie Charman
20. Simon Black
22. Tom Collier
24. Joel Patfull
25. Wayde Mills
26. Joel Macdonald
28. Troy Selwood
30. Robert Copeland
32. Cheynee Stiller
33. Rhan Hooper
35. Michael Rischitelli
38. Haydn Kiel
39. Josh Drummond
40. Phillip Smith
41. Scott Clouston
42. Pearce Hanley
44. Nigel Lappin
45. Daniel Dzufer
47. Joel Tippett

2008 LIONS MEMBERSHIP
The Lions currently have 20,510 members and are still aiming to reach 28,000 members in 2008. Fans and supporters can visit the Lions’ membership marquee prior to the match at Carrara on Friday night and sign up as a member.

Registered 2008 members will be able to collect this year’s member-only cap upon presentation of their 2008 Lions membership card.

Supporters will also be able to purchase all the latest Puma on-field apparel and supporter gear from outside the ground prior to the match.

FAST FOOTY FACTS
* The Vodafone Brisbane Lions met Geelong in last pre-season’s 2007 NAB Cup Semi Finals. On that occasion, the Lions won by 12 points scoring 3.8.10 (85) to the Cats’ 0.10.13 (73).

* The Lions’ NAB Challenge match against Geelong will be the club’s second visit to Carrara this season after already facing Essendon in Round One of the 2008 NAB Cup competition. The Lions will return to Gold Coast Stadium in Round 18 of the regular season to face North Melbourne.

* The Lions have introduced ten new players to their line-up since the beginning of the pre-season competition. Travis Johnstone, Lachlan Henderson, Tom Collier, James Polkinghorne, Bradd Dalziell, Matt Austin, Joel Tippett, Scott Clouston, Phil Smith and Pearce Hanley have all played their first senior matches for the club over the past fortnight.