The Brisbane Lions VFL side will mix youth with experience after naming a strong team to take on Port Melbourne in Round 1 of the 2025 Smithy’s VFL season.

Lions defender, Darcy Gardiner will make his return to football, playing his first game since rupturing his ACL against Gold Coast in Round 8 last year.

VFL-listed recruit James Creighton will make his Club debut at VFL level alongside Youi Brisbane Lions Academy product Fergus McFadyen.

Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds will pull on a Lions jumper for the first time at VFL level having been part of the Club’s 2013 NEAFL Premiership team.

Draftees Sam Marshall and Ty Gallop have been named alongside premiership winning ruck, Darcy Fort.

Fans are encouraged to get down the Brighton Homes Arena for the first bounce at 11:05am.

If you can’t make the game, you can follow along with the Lions X account for live updates or catch all the action on the AFL app or the live stream on https://www.afl.com.au/vfl.