The Lions will blood their fourth debutant of the season after Jack Payne was selected to make his first senior appearance against Richmond at Metricon Stadium on Tuesday night.
Payne comes into the side to replace veteran Grant Birchall who is being managed.
He will join Deven Robertson, Tom Berry and fellow academy graduate Connor Bellenden in making his AFL debut this season.
It is the only change to the side that thumped Essendon by 63 points on the Gold Coast on Friday.
The Lions’ academy product was drafted in 2017 after starring in the Club’s 2017 NEAFL premiership.
His first season on the senior list was hampered by injury but he showed he was a player of the future last year as he strung together 19 gamed in the Club’s unbeaten run to the 2019 NEAFL premiership.
All Australian Charlie Cameron said the reserved Sunshine Coaster might not make a lot of noise around the club but he was sure to make his presence felt out on the field.
He had no doubts the 20-year-old, who stands 198cm and tips the scales at 100kgs, was physically ready to take on a key defensive post against the reigning premiers.
“I remember his first NAB Cup game, he played against Buddy (Lance Franklin) and played really well,’’ he said.
“If he does get a chance, hopefully he plays good.
“He’s pretty quiet, he doesn’t really talk that much for a young fella, but he’s a big boy, he shifts a lot of tin in the gym.’’
