THE Brisbane Lions side for Saturday’s NAB Cup clash with Essendon at Carrara is one of the most inexperienced in club history, but Justin Sherman is backing his young teammates to prove to be more than competitive.

The Lions will start the pre-season competition with a host of regulars unavailable, including Jonathan Brown and Michael Rischitelli (both rested), Simon Black (groin), Daniel Merrett and Ash McGrath (both knee surgery).

At the ripe old age of 21, Sherman is something of a veteran in a 28-man squad that features eight potential debutants and all five of the Lions’ selections from November’s NAB AFL Draft.

”There are a fair few guys out but I’m sure whatever side goes out there will put in a really strong showing,” Sherman said.

”The effort from everyone in the pre-season has been great and I’m sure that will carry over to the game.

”With the young guys, it will be great for them to get an opportunity – just like it was for the rest of us when we got drafted.”

Essendon also has its share of unavailable players, with the likes of skipper Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas, Dustin Fletcher, Mark McVeigh and Jobe Watson all missing from the Bombers' squad.

Former Lion Mal Michael is set to play his first game in Queensland, since coming out of retirement and joining Essendon.

SQUADS

Lions (with guernsey numbers):
2. Albert Proud, 4. Travis Johnstone,  5. Scott Harding, 6. Luke Power, 7. Jed Adcock, 8. Tim Notting, 11. Justin Sherman, 14. Lachlan Henderson, 17. Jared Brennan, 18. Anthony Corrie, 22. Tom Collier, 23. Matthew Leuenberger, 24. Joel Patfull, 25. Wayde Mills, 28. Troy Selwood, 30. Robert Copeland, 31. James Polkinghorne, 32. Cheynee Stiller, 33. Rhan Hooper, 34. Bradd Dalziell, 37. Matt Austin, 38. Haydn Kiel (rookie), 39. Josh Drummond, 40. Phillip Smith (rookie), 41. Scott Clouston (rookie), 44. Nigel Lappin, 45. Daniel Dzufer (rookie), 47. Joel Tippett (rookie)

Essendon (with guernsey numbers):
2.  Ricky Dyson, 3.  Scott Gumbleton, 6. Angus Monfries, 7. Leroy Jetta, 11. Damien Peverill, 14. Jason Johnson, 15. Courtenay Dempsey, 16. Tayte Pears, 17. Jay Nash, 19. David Hille, 20. Henry Slattery, 21. Courtney Johns, 22. Mal Michael, 23. David Myers, 26. Cale Hooker, 27. Jason Laycock, 30. Patrick Ryder, 33. Adam McPhee, 34. Rhys Magin, 36. Sam Lonergan, 37. Kyle Reimers, 38. Jarrod Atkinson, 39. Heath Hocking, 40. Dean Dick, 41. Danny Chartres, 42. Nathan Lovett Murray, 43. Bachar Houli

The Bombers (at a glance):
No Kevin Sheedy and no James Hird – it truly is a new era at Windy Hill. Under first-year coach Matthew Knights, the Bombers are looking to forge a new identity and return to the finals for the first time since 2004. Mal Michael will represent a familiar face for most Lions fans but some may also recognise Rhys Magin, who played for the Suncoast Lions in the AFLQ in 2005 and 2006. Other Essendon players to look out for include the spring-heeled Patrick Ryder and 2004 club champion and All-Australian Adam McPhee.

Last time they met:
The Lions (and fans) will want to remember the last pre-season clash with the Bombers rather than the meeting between the two sides in round eight of 2007. On that occasion, the Lions suffered a 64-point loss - their biggest of the season. On the other hand, the NAB Cup opener against Essendon in 2006 (also at Carrara) was a bona-fide thriller, with some last-quarter heroics from Jared Brennan getting the Lions over the line for a one-point win.

Odds and sods:
***Lachlan Henderson, Tom Collier, James Polkinghorne, Bradd Dalziell, Matt Austin, Phil Smith, Scott Clouston and Joel Tippett are all in line to make their Lions debuts on Saturday night. Another newcomer, Travis Johnstone, will play his first game as a Lion but has 160 games with Melbourne to his credit – actually making him the fourth-most experienced player in this weekend’s squad.

***Talk about a tight squeeze. Injuries and unavailability, including this week’s retirement of popular ruckman Beau McDonald, probably made the Lions’ match committee’s a little simpler this week. Of the 30 fit players at the Gabba, only Jonathan Brown and Michael Rischitelli, both of whom are being rested, weren’t selected in the squad for Saturday night.

***Some familiar guernsey numbers will be on display on Saturday night, but the players wearing them will probably be less recognisable. Second-year player Albert Proud has inherited No. 2 from Chris Johnson and it’s a similar story for Henderson (No. 14 – previously Richard Hadley), Collier (No. 22 – previously Chris Scott) and Polkinghorne (No. 31 – previously Cameron Wood).

Match details:
Bouncedown 7.40pm (local time); televised on Channel Ten