THE BRISBANE Lions are ready to fight fire with fire when they play an emotion-charged Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday.

Melbourne has vowed to play in a manner befitting late president Jim Stynes, who will be honoured with a State funeral on Tuesday.

Midfielder Nathan Jones said the Demons will try to make Stynes proud with a whole-hearted performance that characterised the Brownlow medallist.

 Lions vice-captain Tom Rockliff said his team was braced for an onslaught.

"They'll be full with emotion, it's going to be a massive week for their footy club but it's just as big for us," Rockliff said.

"Any club under those circumstances would lift and I think we're ready for that and we'll be ready to go come Saturday afternoon.

"We want to go down there and start on the right foot and we're going down there to give it a great nudge and hopefully come back with the four points."

Rockliff said it was important for the Lions to start the season strongly after a disappointing 2011 that saw them finish 15th with a 4-18 record.

Aside from captain Jonathan Brown (cheekbone) and an underdone Josh Drummond, the Lions have a full compliment to choose from.

One potentially fiery match-up will be new Demon Mitch Clark's debut against his former team.

After six seasons with the Lions, Western Australian Clark left at the end of last year - sighting homesickness - before winding up at Melbourne.

The teams met during the NAB Cup, but Rockliff expected a more heated reception this time around.

"When it's (four points) on the line I think there'll be a bit of emotion there but I don't think anyone's going out there to bash him or anything like that," Rockliff said.

"I think we're gong out there to play footy and whoever gets the match-up I'm sure will give him a hard day and make it hard for him to get a kick.

"I'm sure there'll be a bit of push and shove before the bounce but when the ball goes up everyone will be competing for the footy."

With Daniel Merrett expected to be picked in the forward line, Clark will most likely be matched-up with either Matt Maguire or Joel Patfull.

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting

Tom Rockliff is a $554,200 midfielder in Toyota AFL Dream Team. Register your team here.