After last Saturday night’s gallant performance against West Coast at Metricon Stadium, the match committee may elect to keep a similar side to the one that walked away with two premiership points.
Key defender Rory Thompson won’t make the trip up the highway to face local rivals Brisbane at the Gabba, and Nick Malceski will undergo a fitness test at Thursday’s main training session to assess a quad injury that Rodney Eade said would have seen him substituted out of last week’s game if Thompson hadn’t of been.
Given the Lions vulnerability in attack and lack of tall targets, the match committee may choose to go with just Steven May and Henry Schade in the key posts rather than replace Thompson with another tall. Although if they don’t, Clay Cameron may return to the senior setup, having last played in round 16 against Greater Western Sydney.
Rebounding defender Trent McKenzie was a late withdrawal from last weekend’s game after injuring his hamstring on Thursday night. He will need to prove his fitness on Thursday and could be a straight swap for Malceski if he fails to get up for Saturday’s game.
Veteran midfielder Michael Rischitelli will return to bolster a depleted midfield department after missing last weekend's game due to personal reasons.
Danny Stanley returned from a six-week absence against NT Thunder and immediately put his hand up for a senior recall. The big-bodied midfielder has endured a frustrating season due to injury, but put that behind him by gathering 33 possessions, seven clearances and five inside 50s to be the reserves' best player.
Andrew Raines continued his consistent form in the NEAFL with another four-quarter performance. The veteran onballer collected 27 disposals, six marks and a goal in another dependable effort.
Stefan Martin’s form and ability around the ground could see Zac Smith brought back into the team to support Tom Nicholls who performed strongly against West Coast star Nic Naitanui last weekend. Smith dominated NT Thunder, accumulating a whopping 46 hitouts, to go with 15 possessions and eight clearances.
