The Brisbane Lions have been forced to make another change with midfielder Rohan Bewick today withdrawn from Sunday's clash against Melbourne with a groin injury.
Bewick was replaced by Nick Robertson who was recalled for his first game of 2016.
In total, seven changes have been made to last Saturday's team who lost to Collingwood at The Gabba.
19-year-old Rhys Mathieson will make his long-awaited debut this weekend.
He featured in the Lions’ NAB Challenge side, but suffered a broken cheekbone after receiving a high bump from GWS forward Jeremy Cameron in the pre-season competition.
Mathieson required surgery and returned to the NEAFL where his form has been strong and was named as an emergency in last weekend’s match against Collingwood.
Match Centre: Follow the game live
Jackson Paine was elevated to the senior list on Wednesday in replacement of retired defender Justin Clarke, and will line-up for his first AFL game since Round 23, 2014.
After arriving at Brisbane at the end of 2013, Paine’s campaign has been plagued by injury as he struggled with a shoulder problem followed by an ankle injury, but is now fit to play following a strong showing in the NEAFL.
Ruckman Trent West has earnt a senior recall, while Daniel McStay returns to the side following a late withdrawal from last weekend’s match against Collingwood with a groin injury.
Jonathan Freeman (4 goals) and Billy Evans (3 goals) will also return to the side after a strong showing in last weekend's Reserves' loss to Sydney University.
View full team lists of both sides here
Darcy Gardiner (finger), Dayne Beams (knee) and Claye Beams (groin) join Bewick on the injury list, Josh Green (omitted), Marco Paparone (omitted) and Josh Walker (omitted) will also miss.
Bounce down is at 1.10pm on Sunday at the MCG.
Team
| B | #2 Ryan Harwood | #21 Daniel Merrett | #39 Jackson Paine |
| HB | #10 Daniel Rich | #25 Daniel McStay | #32 Sam Mayes |
| C | #35 Ryan Lester | #3 Allen Christensen | #7 Tom Bell |
| HF | #11 Pearce Hanley | #28 Lewis Taylor | #18 Nicholas Robertson |
| F | #13 Trent West | #23 Josh Schache | #4 Ryan Bastinac |
| FOL | #12 Stefan Martin | #15 Dayne Zorko | #5 Mitch Robinson |
| INT | #1 Ben Keays | #34 Jonathan Freeman | #36 Rhys Mathieson |
| #46 Billy Evans | |||
| E | #16 Jarrad Jansen | #19 Josh Clayton | #30 Eric Hipwood |
In: Jackson Paine, Daniel McStay, Trent West, Rhys Mathieson, Billy Evans, Jonathan Freeman, Nicholas Robertson
Out: Josh Green (Omitted), Marco Paparone (Omitted), Josh Walker (Omitted), Darcy Gardiner (Finger), Dayne Beams (Knee), Claye Beams (Groin), Rohan Bewick (Groin)
Milestones: Rhys Mathieson (1st AFL game)
New: Rhys Mathieson (Geelong Falcons)
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Women's Exhibition Match
The women's exhibition match against Melbourne kicks off at the MCG at 10.05am on Sunday 22 May, with the men's team to play at 1.10pm.
View the full women's squad here.
You can also watch the game live from 10:05am on channel 504 on Fox Footy.
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