The Brisbane Lions have named their first team of 2012 to take on the Melbourne Demons this Saturday at the MCG - including Daniel Merrett at full back.

Despite speculation that big man Merrett would play forward in the absence of injured skipper Jonathan Brown, the 27-year-old Queensland product has been named in his regular spot in the back line.

Merrett and fellow defender Matt Maguire look set for the job on ex-Lion Mitch Clark, who left Brisbane at the end of last season.

Versatile utility Joel Patfull will start at centre half forward alongside ruckman Matthew Leuenberger, who has been named at full forward and will rotate ruck duties with Ben Hudson.

Hudson will don the Lions colours for the first time following a 143-game career with Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs.

Hudson is the only one of the Lions’ new players acquired in Trade Week and the AFL Drafts to be named in the team this week.

Youngsters Jared Polec, Claye Beams and Ryan Lester have all been named in the starting 18 following long injury stints on the sideline in 2011, while regular defenders Jed Adcock and Pearce Hanley have been named in the midfield after both produced stellar performances up the ground in the NAB Cup.

Brisbane Lions team - Round 1:

B: McKeever (40), Merrett (21), McGrath (9)
HB: Golby (41), Maguire (36), Rich (10)
C: Rockliff (38), Adcock (7), Hanley (11)
HF: Polec (4), Patfull (24), Banfield (18)
F: Polkinghorne (31), Leuenberger (23), Lester (35)
Foll: Hudson (22), Black (20), Redden (30)
Int: Beams (17), Bewick (43), Stiller (32), Sheldon (3)
Emer: Harwood (2), Longer (5), O’Brien (34)