The next generation of Lions stars will be out to impress this Saturday afternoon when they face the Western Bulldogs at Visy Park in Melbourne.

A relatively unchanged Lions line-up will look to make amends for last Friday’s disappointing showing against Essendon and St Kilda by testing themselves against a far more experienced Bulldogs side.

Vice-Captain Jed Adcock will make a welcome return to the squad while ruckman Matthew Leuenberger is being rested.

The remainder of the Lions 29-man squad remains the same from last week.

Adcock is one of only six players named in the squad to have registered 100 AFL games along with Amon Buchanan, Brent Staker, Matt Maguire, Ash McGrath and Daniel Merrett.

Leuenberger’s absence presents rookie Broc McCauley with a great opportunity to gain some valuable experience in the ruck while Mitch Clark will also be able to lend a hand at times.

Merrett is likely to have his hands full for most of the afternoon with full-forward Barry Hall likely to play his first pre-season match for the Bulldogs.

Saturday should also prove a great test for the young Lions midfield with the likes of Tom Rockliff, Jared Polec, Daniel Rich, Claye Beams and Jesse O’Brien potentially going up against a seasoned Bulldogs outfit consisting of Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross, Daniel Giansiracusa, Ryan Griffen and Shaun Higgins.

The match might also see former Lion Justin Sherman lining up against his old team-mates for the first time since joining the Bulldogs during last year’s trade period.

All Lions traditional Victorian members and Victorian Plus members will receive free entry into the match upon presentation of their 2011 membership card while non-members can purchase tickets at the gate.

The Lions will also have a membership area setup outside Gate 5 of Visy Park when gates open at midday for fans to sign up as 2011 Club members. 

MATCH DETAILS
Brisbane Lions v Western Bulldogs
Saturday 26 February 2011
Visy Park, Royal Parade, Carlton North @ 1pm

The Lions full unplaced squad of 29 players is as follows:

1 - Mitchell Clark
3 - Sam Sheldon
4 - Jared Polec
7 - Jed Adcock
8 - Matt Austin
9 - Ashley McGrath
10 - Daniel Rich
12 - James Hawksley
14 - Brent Staker
17 - Claye Beams
18 - Todd Banfield
21 - Daniel Merrett
22 - Tom Collier
24 - Joel Patfull
26 - Ryan Harwood
28 - Patrick Karnezis
29 - Andrew Raines
32 - Cheynee Stiller
33 - Amon Buchanan
34 - Jesse O’Brien
35 - Ryan Lester
36 - Matt Maguire
37 - Bryce Retzlaff
38 - Tom Rockliif
41 - Mitchell Golby (Rookie)
42 - Josh Green
43 - Rohan Bewick
44 - Aaron Cornelius
46 - Broc McCauley (Rookie)

Click here for a full update on this weekend's NAB Challenge match.