Half back Sam Sheldon, tough midfielder Ryan Harwood and clever half forward Rohan Bewick came into the side for Claye Beams (hip), Andrew Raines (concussion) and Tom Collier.
O'Donnell, a former Bombers captain and assistant coach, said the fresh blood would help the Lions to get the right mix as they searched for a breakthrough win to kick-start their season.
"Those guys cover the ground pretty well and we're still a developing team, trying to find the right mix, not only through leg speed, but the guys that can move the ball quickly as well," O'Donnell said.
"If you can do one or the other you do complement our team.
"New players like that give you a little bit of a lift, give you that enthusiasm the team needs."
Sheldon, who has 24 games to his name, is playing his first match for the season after an injury disrupted 2010.
Harwood, who impressed with his willingness to win the hard ball in six matches last season, will also open his account this year, while Bewick, the nephew of Essendon premiership player Darren, returns after two matches on the sidelines with a back injury.
O'Donnell said Sheldon had worked hard for his chance.
"There's probably a few guys in front of him in the role he plays, like (Jed) Adcock and (Pearce) Hanley, but he's worked hard and deserves his chance.
"He's got some good speed so he gives us a little more pace around the ground and coming out of defence, so we're looking forward to his first game."
O'Donnell said the Lions had also poured time into its clearance work during the week after Gold Coast smashed them 60-30 in that category last week, despite ruckman Matthew Leuenberger's dominance (52 hitouts) in the ruck.
"To be beaten so badly like we were last week was a big disappointment," he said.
"We've put a little bit more effort and training into that area of our game. If we can be good in that area we give ourselves a chance to get it down our end rather than against the Gold Coast (where) our poor defenders were inundated with the ball coming in there."
O'Donnell said the Lions would start Daniel Merrett in his customary fullback position after an experiment playing him as a forward against the Suns failed, but had not ruled out the possibility of playing him there again in the future.
In some good news for the Lions, utility Brent Staker was jogging laps after his early season knee surgery and could be back as early as round 14.
