The Brisbane Lions have named an inexperienced line-up for this Thursday’s NAB Challenge match against reigning Premiers Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium.
The 29-man squad includes eight of the Club’s new draftees, with only Darcy Gardiner and Lewis Taylor missing out due to injury.
A further three players – Jordon Bourke, Michael Close, and Nick Hayes – are also set to get their first ever taste of senior AFL football, albeit in a pre-season practice match.
Ruckman Trent West will line up for his first official match in the maroon blue and gold after arriving from Geelong during last year’s trade period.
Fellow trade week recruits Luke McGuane (rested) and Jackson Paine (injured) have been left out of the squad.
Most of the Club’s biggest names – including Captain Jed Adcock, Daniel Rich, Pearce Hanley, Daniel Merrett, Matthew Leuenberger, Jack Redden and Joel Patfull – will be absent for the scratch match against the Hawks.
Matt Maguire and Andrew Raines are the only players named in the squad to have played 100 or more senior games, with Tom Rockliff, James Polkinghorne and West the only others to have played 50 or more.
The 29-man squad will be trimmed to a final team of 26 before Thursday night’s game.
The full squad is as follows:
2 – Ryan Harwood
4 – James Aish (from Norwood)
5 – Jack Crisp
6 – Josh Green
8 – Rohan Bewick
13 – Trent West (from Geelong)
15 – Dayne Zorko
18 – Nick Robertson (from West Peth)
19 – Jordan Lisle
22 – Marco Paparone
25 – Daniel McStay (from Eastern Ranges)
26 – Tom Cutler (from Oakleigh Chargers)
29 – Andrew Raines
31 – James Polkinghorne
32 – Sam Mayes
33 – Michael Close (pre-season AFL debut)
34 – Jonathan Freeman (from Aspley)
35 – Ryan Lester
36 – Matt Maguire
37 – Patrick Wearden
38 – Tom Rockliff
40 – Isaac Conway (from Aspley)
41 – Mitch Golby
42 – Justin Clarke
43 – Nick Hayes (pre-season AFl debut)
44 – Archie Smith (from Mt Gravatt)
45 – Jordon Bourke (pre-season AFL debut)
46 – Sam Michael
47 – Zac O’Brien (from Bendigo Bombers)
Lions name young line-up
The Lions will field an inexperienced side against Hawthorn on Thursday