Lions’ fans will get their first peak of the Club’s top draft pick tomorrow when Darcy Wilmot plays his first game against Adelaide at Metricon Stadium on Friday.
The 16th pick in the 2021 NAB AFL draft joins his namesake, former Geelong ruckman Darcy Fort as new faces for the Lions.
Former No.1 draft pick Cam Rayner will make his return after missing the entire 2021 premiership season with a knee injury while defender Noah Answerth is also back for his first game since Rd 17, 2020.
Senior coach Chris Fagan confirmed Rayner would spend more time in the midfield this season and he was excited at the impact he could have on the side after a standout summer on the track.
“He has had a fantastic pre-season,’’ he said.
“His form in the practice games, I’ll be honest it has surprised me.
“Sometimes after 12 months out not playing you can be a bit scratchy, but it appears to me he just couldn’t wait for the opportunity to play again, and he has learnt a lot in his time off.
“His energy and vibrancy around training, you don’t realise how much you miss it until he is back, and it is good to have him.’’
Friday mornings match will be open to the public with fans encouraged to enter via Gate 5. The match will also be live streamed on Kayo. Click here for match stream.
For full match details, click HERE
Practice Match Squad v Adelaide
| #24 Marcus Adams | #4 Callum Ah Chee | #31 Harris Andrews |
| #43 Noah Answerth | #33 Zac Bailey | #7 Jarrod Berry |
| #23 Charlie Cameron | #12 Nakia Cockatoo | #3 Joe Daniher |
| #32 Darcy Fort | #27 Darcy Gardiner | #17 Jarryd Lyons |
| #14 James Madden | #11 Lincoln McCarthy | #6 Hugh McCluggage |
| #46 Oscar McInerney | #25 Dan McStay | #9 Lachie Neale |
| #20 Jaxon Prior | #16 Cam Rayner | #10 Daniel Rich |
| #5 Mitch Robinson | #22 Harry Sharp | #37 Brandon Starcevich |
| #44 Darcy Wilmot |
