The discussions among the Match Committee won’t be without some strong opinions and robust debate among members, before they decide on the perfect formula to take on the Demons.
The task will be made even more difficult with a relatively healthy playing list to choose from.
Only Captain Jonathan Brown (cheekbone), Brent Staker (knee) and Dayne Zorko (hip) remain on the casualty list, while Josh Drummond, Sam Docherty and Andrew Raines - who have all recently overcome pre-season injuries - will need some significant match practice before they are deemed ‘available’ for senior selection.
The 22 players who took to the field in the team’s final pre-season practice match will no doubt be among the front-runners for selection, although a couple will have to make way for reigning Club Champion Tom Rockliff and veteran forward/defender Ash McGrath who both missed the clash against Essendon.
There are also a number of other players waiting in the wings who have been impressive in either previous NAB Cup matches or Lions Reserves practice games.
They include the likes of Ryan Harwood, Rohan Bewick Josh Green, James Hawksley, Ben Hudson, Jordan Lisle, Aaron Cornelius, Bryce Retzlaff and Amon Buchanan, who will all come under consideration.
Senior Coach Michael Voss said he was expecting some positive challenges at the selection table.
“We’re coming into the season with around 40-45 guys available which is fairly unique for us,” Voss said.
"So we’ve got a good couple of Match Committee’s coming up I would have thought. It will be a good debate."
"Some players have really put their hand up, while others we’ve given opportunities to potentially haven’t done so.”
“The only thing we’re certain of at the moment is who's unavailable.”
Having to fit 40-odd players into 22 spots is a good problem for the Club to be facing - and whoever makes the final cut will most likely be based around individual match-ups and how they suit the overall team strategy.
One thing is for certain, the decision will be made by the people who best understand the roles and abilities of each player - the Match Committee.
The Brisbane Lions’ Round One team will be published on lions.com.au at around 6:25pm this Thursday.
