Two replacements were forced after last Thursday’s Easter blockbuster win against Carlton with Jared Brennan serving a one-match suspension for his bump on Matthew Kreuzer and Vice-Captain Jed Adcock sustaining a Grade One quad tear. Utility Cheynee Stiller has been omitted.
Solid midfielder-forward James Polkinghorne has earned his senior re-call along with defender James Hawksley with both players not having played top line footy since the 2009 Semi-Final.
Current Lions Reserves ‘dynamo’ Tom Rockliff has also gained a spot for only his second senior match after his form proved irresistible in the Twos after their last two matches.
‘Rocky’ kicked seven goals and grabbed 34 possessions in last week’s heavy victory over QAFL fancies Mt Gravatt and is now looking to maintain his sparkling form in the seniors.
Rockliff’s only previous AFL game was the Round 18 defeat by Collingwood in Round 18 at the MCG where he recorded five disposals, three marks and one tackle.
Coincidentally, Rockliff and Polkinghorne have both supplied a personal Fan Blog on the Lions website within the last 48 hours with their latest thoughts and opinions.
This match is shaping as a tense struggle with both teams entering the fray undefeated and with clear memories of last year’s Round 14 physical clash away and the Lions’ amazing comeback win in Round 21 at the Gabba.
The full Lions Round 3 team includes:
B: Ashley McGrath (9), Daniel Merrett (21), Andrew Raines (29)
HB: Daniel Rich (10), Matt Maguire (36), Josh Drummond (39)
C: Tom Rockliff (38), Simon Black (20), Brent Staker (14)
HF: Justin Sherman (11), Jonathan Brown (16), Jack Redden (30)
F: James Polkinghorne (31), Brendan Fevola (5), Todd Banfield (18)
Foll: Mitchell Clark (1), Luke Power (6), Michael Rischitelli (35)
Int: Matthew Leuenberger (23), James Hawksley (12), Travis Johnstone (4), Joel Patfull (24)
Emerg: Albert Proud (2), Troy Selwood (28), Matt Austin (8)
IN: James Hawksley, James Polkinghorne, Tom Rockliff
OUT: Jared Brennan (Suspended), Jed Adcock (Quad), Cheynee Stiller (Omitted)
MILESTONES: Justin Sherman (100 games)
