Lions rookie Zac O’Brien has been elevated to the senior list.
With Captain Tom Rockliff joining Pearce Hanley on the sidelines, O'Brien will come into contention to take on North Melbourne this Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
The 24-year-old joined the Lions at the end of 2013 as a mature age rookie after a standout season in the VFL.
He replaced Matthew Leuenberger and then Daniel Rich on the senior list in the second half of last year while the duo were on the long term injury list and forced his way onto the side for five games, including a 30 possession effort against Geelong in round 23.
The return of both Rich and Leuenberger forced him back onto the rookie list to start this season.
But a strong pre-season and solid form in the NEAFL games prompted the club to yesterday lodge the paperwork with the AFL to elevate him to replace Hanley.
Leppitsch said it was only the fact he was ineligible for seniors that kept him out of the NAB Challenge and the side for Round 1.
“He has been unlucky, being a rookie probably kept him out of the side while we went with players we knew we could use,” Leppitsch told The Courier-Mail.
“But he is available now and is a strong chance to play this week."
