A WEEK after setting the AFL world buzzing, Western Bulldogs teenager Aaron Naughton could be confronted with one of the League's toughest challenges on Saturday.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan all but confirmed vice-captain Harris Andrews would return from a hamstring injury to play in Ballarat, although evaded whether he'd match up on Naughton.
MID-SEASON ROOKIE DRAFT Former players, brothers of star on the list
Andrews has missed two matches with the injury he suffered in the Easter Thursday loss to Collingwood but has trained strongly this week.
Although the Lions have won the past two matches without Andrews, who made last season's 40-man Virgin Australia AFL All Australian squad, Fagan said he'd likely play.
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
"He's our vice-captain. He's a very, very good player," Fagan said.
"He's amongst the best three or four tall defenders in the competition.
"If he's fit and ready to go and all the medical guys tick him off, which I think they will, then we'll select him."
WHO MAKES FINALS? Do the 2019 Ladder Predictor
Naughton kicked five goals against Richmond last Saturday night, with a staggering nine of his 14 marks contested.
It even made the Lions coach sit up and take notice.
FULL INJURY LIST Who's ruled out and who's a test?
"That was an outstanding game wasn't it?" Fagan said.
"Any key forward that takes that many contested marks and kicks that many goals at a young age, that's a pretty special performance.
"We just need to make sure that he doesn't get an easy run at the footy and use his athleticism like he was able to last week.
"Huge respect for the way he's developing."
With a 5-2 record putting Brisbane in the top four, Fagan said it would be difficult leaving someone out of a winning team.
"It is hard to leave somebody out and it's difficult not to bring blokes in from the NEAFL because they are undefeated as well and have been winning their games by pretty big margins," he said.
"Teams that are winning and have built that connection together, you don't want to break that up, but for someone like Harris you would.
"He's been a big part of our team the last few years."
