Tom Fullarton will be retracing the footsteps of his childhood hero when he makes his AFL debut for the Lions against St Kilda tomorrow.
Fullarton’s first crack at elite sport came on the NBL court for the Brisbane Bullets but it was always his dream to emulate the deeds of Jonathan Brown and roam the forward fifty arc at the Gabba for the Lions.
The Sunshine Coast product comes into the side to replace Matt Eagles and will also serve as a back-up ruckman to milestone man Oscar McInerney who will play his 50th AFL game.
Fullarton was elevated from a category B rookie to the senior list this week to replace Marcus Adams who has been placed on the long term injury list.
He joins Deven Robertson, Tom Berry and fellow Queenslanders Connor Ballenden and Jack Payne in the 2020 debutants’ club.
“It was a pretty shocking surprise but I’m overwhelmed with excitement and pretty keen to play my first game,’’ he said.
“Fages told me at training this week. He just said to go out there and do my job.’’
The 200cm forward was part of the Lions’ academy as a teenager but began to focus on basketball after being chosen to captain the Australian Under 17 world cup squad.
He caught the eye of Australian coach Andre Lemanis who lured him to the Brisbane Bullets for the 2017-18 season.
However his first love was always footy and when the Lions came calling midway through the 2018 AFL season, he agreed to join as a Category B rookie.
“I definitely supported the Lions growing up,’’ he said.
“I watched them during their premiership years and one of my favourite players, when I was younger, was Jonathan Brown.
“It was always my dream as a kid to play AFL, especially for the Lions.’’
He joins Cameron Rayner as the only two changes to the side that defeated North Melbourne by a point at Metricon Stadium last Saturday.
Rayner returns after missing the wins over the Bulldogs and North Melbourne with a hamstring strain.
He replaces Rhys Mathieson.
Veteran Daniel Rich was due to return from suspension but has been ruled out due to hamstring tightness.
