DANIEL Merrett expects Lance Franklin to be "roaring" when the Sydney Swans play his Brisbane Lions in a practice match on Saturday, and it's a challenge he's looking forward to.

The game will be played in the north Brisbane suburb of Burpengary at the state's newest AFL precinct and represents the last chance for both clubs to fine-tune preparations ahead of round one.

Franklin had a quiet debut for his new club against West Coast last week, held goalless and tallying just six disposals.

But Merrett said he expected Franklin to bounce back strongly.

"That's perfect for us," he joked about criticism following the former Hawk's first game.

"Him having a quiet game, he'll be ready to come out roaring this weekend."

Merrett has traditionally taken the bigger-bodied Jarryd Roughead when the Lions played Hawthorn, but with big Swan Kurt Tippett (knee) still injured, will likely spend time on the more mobile Franklin.

He said he, like his teammates, wanted to test themselves against the best.

"That's what you want. When you're at training you try and line up on 'Browny' (Lions champion Jonathan Brown) to get the best out of yourself in preparation for round one," he said.

"Usually I take 'Roughy', he plays the deepest, but I have played on 'Buddy' a few times, and he's had a few days out as well."

Merrett was speaking at the unveiling of the Lions' Hall of Fame guernsey – a Brisbane Bears original – to be worn in round eight against Essendon.

After playing one of the Lions' two NAB Challenge matches, Merrett said he now had itchy feet for round one against Hawthorn on March 22.

"You're always itching just to get the games going and bringing them in earlier this year was a good thing … but we're also still so far away from round one," he said.

"I don't know what the perfect balance is. It feels like we should be playing round one already. Everyone's ready to go."