Keidean Coleman and James Madden are set to roar in prime time as they return to the side for Friday night’s blockbuster against Richmond at the Gabba.
Coleman, who made his AFL debut on a Friday night against Collingwood last season, comes into the team after a solid showing as the injury substitute in last weekend’s Q Clash mauling of the Suns.
He entered the game in the opening quarter after veteran Ryan Lester suffered a hamstring injury, cutting short his 150th AFL game.
It will be Coleman’s fifth appearance of the year, having broken through for five games in his maiden AFL season last year.
Irishman Madden will also get his second crack at senior footy as he replaces injured veteran Darcy Gardiner.
Madden’s debut against Port Adelaide came as a replacement for Gardiner, who was taking a mandatory one-week rest under the AFL’s concussion protocols.
This time Gardiner’s absence will be much longer, undergoing shoulder reconstruction on Wednesday.
The Lions go into the game having secured a 15-point victory in their last meeting with the Tigers in last year’s qualifying final at the Gabba.
Although the Lions gained much confidence after ending an 11-year drought against the eventual premiers last year, Senior Coach Chris Fagan said both sides have undergone significant change since.
“It is a little bit of a template, you look back at what you did well and that night and what we didn’t do so well and try and do a better version of it,’’ he said.
“But I tend to look at current form and how teams are playing because teams change from year to year.
“Tomorrow night’s game, there’s quite a few players missing from both teams who played in that game.
“We’ve done it once, but I don’t know that once proves anything.’’
He said his players were mostly excited by the chance to play in front of a sell-out Gabba against the Premiers.
“It’s Friday night football and we are up against the benchmark side of the competition for the past four or five years,’’ he said.
“We are looking forward to the chance to test ourselves against the very best.’’
