Vice-Captain Harris Andrews will make his return from suspension this Sunday, when the Lions take on the Western Bulldogs at The Gabba.
Andrews missed the team’s Round 19 victory over Hawthorn after incurring a one-match suspension for striking a North Melbourne player in Round 18.
He has been named in the backline of Senior Coach Chris Fagan’s 26-man extended squad.
Ben Keays, Ryan Bastinac and Lewis Taylor have been named on the extended bench for the Bulldogs clash. The trio were rewarded after producing dominant performances for the Club’s undefeated NEAFL side each week.
In the Lions NEAFL team’s Round 17 win over the Sydney Swans, Bastinac had 41 disposals, two goals and eight tackles. His NEAFL Coach Mitch Hahn told lions.com.au the 28-year-old has been working hard on the defensive aspect of his game.
“His skill and decision making was exceptional throughout the whole game,” Hahn said.
“What was probably even more pleasing was he had eight tackles. It was something he’d been working on, the defensive side of his game.”
Bastinac’s last senior game was Round 3’s win over Port Adelaide.
Taylor also produced a stellar performance against the Swans with 28 disposals and one goal. The midfielder/forward’s last game for the AFL side was Round 12’s loss to Carlton.
While Keays travelled with the seniors to Tasmania last week as the emergency player, on the back of outstanding form in the NEAFL.
Joining Bastinac, Taylor and Keays on the extended bench are Josh Walker, Allen Christensen, Cam Rayner, Zac Bailey and Noah Answerth.
A final 22-man team will be named tomorrow afternoon at 5pm.
IN: Harris Andrews, Ben Keays, Ryan Bastinac, Lewis Taylor
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