Mitch Hinge will make his first appearance of the season against the Swans as the Lions were once again forced to ring the changes at selection.

Twenty-two year old Hinge will add to the two games he played last season on Sunday evening at Cazaly’s in Cairns.

For the second week in a row the Lions have made three changes.

Veteran Grant Birchall returns after being rested for the QClash victory over the Gold Coast while big-bodied midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen comes into the side after strong form in the reserves matches since returning from a calf injury.

Coach Chris Fagan was forced to shuffle his side after losing three players to injury from the side that defeated the Suns by 45 points at the Gabba on Wednesday night.

Midfielder Jarrod Berry is out with a shoulder injury, defender Brandon Starcevich misses after suffering a concussion while Linc McCarthy was ruled out due to a badly corked thigh.

It’s a rare trip North for the Lions who have never played for premiership points in Cairns and have not visited the region since playing a pre-season game at Cazaly’s back in the Leigh Matthews era.