Physical Performance Manager Brett Burton all but confirmed earlier in the week that the pair will return for Saturday night’s match against Essendon at the Gabba.
Brown and Hanley’s inclusion will provide the team with a significant boost, particularly on the back of a disappointing performance against Sydney last weekend.
The Lions had a Bye in the NEAFL last week, which meant that the reserves players didn’t have the opportunity to press their case for selection. But that doesn’t mean we won’t see more changes to the senior team.
Brent Moloney should be nice and fresh having played just a quarter of football in the past three weeks, and could be called up to add some muscle to the midfield, while Matt Maguire is another experienced campaigner who could come into the frame for his first senior match of the 2014 season.
Ryan Harwood, Jordan Lisle, Jack Crisp, Zac O’Brien, Jackson Paine, and Michael Close are others who could slot into the side.
At this stage, Luke McGuane looks like the only player certain to miss courtesy of a troublesome knee injury that could possibly even require surgery.
The Match Committee might also decide it’s time to give one or more of the promising 2013 draftees a much-needed rest to ensure they don’t ‘burn out’ later in the season.
Stay tuned to lions.com.au at 6:25pm tonight to get the full rundown of who has, and hasn’t, been named in the Brisbane Lions’ Round 8 side.
