The Brisbane Lions have made two changes to the senior team ahead of this Saturday’s match against the Gold Coast SUNS at Metricon Stadium.

Jared Polec has overcome a minor foot injury and will return against the Lions’ cross-town rivals, while Ryan Lester has also been recalled.

They replace star midfielder Daniel Rich, who will be forced to watch from the stands this weekend while serving a two-match suspension for rough conduct, and Patrick Karnezis, who has been omitted.

Polec has proven himself a valuable goal-kicking midfielder throughout his 11 senior games in 2012, while the versatile Lester has spent most of this season as a genuine utility and has been responsible for playing in a variety of different roles.

Meanwhile, Irishman Pearce Hanley and small forward Todd Banfield have been named and will both line up for their 50th career AFL matches.

The Lions hold a narrow 2-1 advantage over the Gold Coast in the previous three meetings between the Queensland’s two AFL clubs.

QClash 4, however, will mark the first time that the Lions have travelled down the Pacific Highway to face the Suns at Metricon Stadium.

The full Lions Round 17 team is below:


B: Ryan Harwood (2), Matt Maguire (36), Josh Drummond (39)
HB: Jed Adcock (7), Joel Patfull (24), Pearce Hanley (11)
C: Elliot Yeo (26), Simon Black (20), Ryan Lester (35)
HF: Rohan Bewick (43), Jonathan Brown (16), Dayne Zorko (15)
F: Aaron Cornelius (44), Todd Banfield (18), Daniel Merrett (21)
Foll: Ben Hudson (22), Tom Rockliff (38), Andrew Raines (29)
Int: Jack Redden (30), James Polkinghorne (31), Jack Crisp (47), Jared Polec (4)
Emer: Claye Beams (17), Amon Buchanan (33), Patrick Karnezis (28)

In: Ryan Lester, Jared Polec
Out: Daniel Rich (suspension), Patrick Karnezis (omitted)
Milestones: Pearce Hanley (50 games), Todd Banfield (50 games)