FRANKSTON has rung the changes from its disappointing loss to Coburg last Sunday for its must-win Smithy's VFL showdown against top-four contenders Brisbane Lions at Skybus Stadium on Friday night.

The Dolphins' finals hopes are hanging by a thread after the disappointing loss to the Victorian Lions and they have no choice but to bounce back against the Queensland version if they want to keep their season alive.

They have lost returned star Nathan Freeman, in-form defender Max Williams and important role players Jackson Voss and Billy Mackay among seven changes, although experienced backman Liam Hiscock has earned a recall, with debuts handed to Marc Massarotti and Connor Riley's little brother Liam.

The Lions will be without the AFL-recalled Mitch Robinson after a dominant showing against Northern Bullants last Friday, but they have been strengthened by the inclusion of last year's Geelong VFL best-and-fairest Darcy Fort, plus Callum Ah Chee and Jackson Prior.

14.FRANKSTON (4-5) v 4.BRISBANE LIONS (6-3)

Friday, June 10, 7.35pm @ Skybus Stadium
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 7.30pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Never Met

FRANKSTON
IN: L. Hiscock, M. Massarotti (debut), C. Nayna, B. O'Leary, L. Riley (debut), T. Small, B. Welsh
OUT: J. Burton, J. Butland, J. Clarke, N. Freeman, B. Mackay, J. Voss, M. Williams
DEBUT: to come

BRISBANE LIONS
IN: C. Ah Chee, D. Fort, J. Prior
OUT: M. Robinson (AFL), W. Fletcher, T. Triffett

Prediction: Brisbane Lions by 15

SMITHY’S VFL TEAMS, ROUND 12, click here

* GIANT project ruckman Mate Colina made his long-awaited Smithy’s VFL debut in Richmond’s Tiger Throwdown against Werribee at Swinburne Centre on Wednesday night.

Colina, 23, the massive 213cm, 111kg cousin of key swingman Noah Balta, arrived at Punt Rd as a Category B rookie in September 2020 from Hawaii Rainbow Warriors US College basketball team and has been developing his craft for the past 21 months, with Richmond making sure he was ready before unleashing him on the competition.

He started well but faded out of the game as the Tigers suffered a 37-point loss to the Bees.

The Tigers also handed a debut to NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft selection Jacob Bauer, 20, a key forward from the Sydney Swans Academy via North Adelaide, where he has kicked 16 goals in six matches this season, and he responded with five marks and three last-quarter goals.

Werribee backed the 23 players that thrashed Collingwood in Round 10 and was rewarded with another dominant victory.

WEDNESDAY

RICHMOND 8.6 (54) lost to WERRIBEE 13.13 (91)

Brendan Rhodes’ winners: Last Round: 4. Season: 71½

Twitter: @BRhodesVFL

All Smithy’s VFL matches in 2022 can be viewed live and free. The VFL Match of the Round will be televised each week on Channel 7, with all other matches livestreamed via vfl.com.au and the AFL Live Official App. Radio station 3WBC will also again be broadcasting Box Hill Hawks matches.
To access live scores, results, ladder, stats and to link to live streams/replays, download the VFL/W Official App from the Apple or Google Play app stores.
Keep track of your Smithy’s VFL team via our VFL Match Centre, which features live scores, team and player stats, match timeline, events summary and Fantasy points. Check it out at (https://www.afl.com.au/vfl/fixture)