The strong form of Jayden McGrath has added another page to the Brisbane Lions’ teenage talent explosion.

McGrath is the ninth teenager to debut under Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch, the 18-year-old midfielder from Kerang, a rural town of 4000 people in northern Victoria, capping a dream introduction to the AFL by playing against Collingwood at the Gabba in Round 1 after being taken at No.73 in the 2014 National Draft.

He followed that up with a strong – and brave – performance against the Kangaroos in a well-beaten side yesterday at Etihad Stadium.

McGrath, a graduate of the AFL/AIS Academy who played last year with the Bendigo Pioneers in the TAC Cup, followed 18-year-old Lions debutants of last season James Aish, Darcy Gardiner and Nick Robertson, and 19-year-old debutants of 2014, Daniel McStay, Lewis Taylor, Tom Cutler, Michael Close and Jordon Bourke.

His selection after a standout NAB Challenge confirmed the willingness of coach Leppitsch to give youngsters a chance, and his commitment to rebuilding the Lions team from the bottom up.

Leppitsch’s remarkable teenage debut strike-rate, which equates to one in each 2.56 games, is in stark contrast to the 15 years prior to his appointment.

Before him Michael Voss debuted 21 teenagers in 109 games as coach (one in every 5.19 games), and Leigh Matthews debuted 37 teenagers in 238 games (one in every 6.43 games).

Richard Hadley, a member of the Lions’ 2003 premiership side in his fourth game, remains the youngest Lions player post-merger at 18 years 16 days, followed by Cameron Wood (18 years 51 days) and Damien Cupido (18 years 71 days).

Voss remains the youngest player in the combined history of the Brisbane Bears/Lions since 1987 – he was 17 years 11 days on debut. Next youngest were Matthew AhMat (17/44) and Leppitsch (17/177).

McGrath was just the sixth player post-merger to debut with the Lions in Round 1 of his first season at the club, having been drafted at AFL level for the first time in the draft phase immediately prior.

He follows Aish and Taylor last year, Daniel Rich (2009), Mitch Clark (2008) and Simon Black (1998).

McGrath,  became just the fourth player to wear jumper No.29 at AFL level for the Lions in 19 years post-merger, following Andrew Raines (67 games), Jason Roe (50 games) and Shannon Rusca (2 games).

A further four players wore No.29 in the Bears’ era – Andrew Taylor (31 games), Fabian Francis (22 games), Gary Shaw (6 games) and Troy Johnson (2 games).