Michael Close has been named in the 25-man squad for this Sunday’s game against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
The third-year forward played all three NAB Challenge matches and was strong up front in the Reserves match against the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday.
Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch conceded 19-year old Daniel McStay may need some back up in the forward 50.
"It's something we need to look at because Dan needs some help, he's only a young boy.”
Matt Maguire, Zac O’Brien, Tom Cutler and Mitch Golby have also been named.
West Australian Daniel Rich will captain the side in the absence of Tom Rockliff.
Rockliff will miss 4-6 weeks of football after scans confirmed broken ribs and a punctured lung, following an accidental knee from Magpie Travis Varcoe during the third quarter of last Saturday’s match against Collingwood.
Dan Merrett is out of the squad with a low grade hamstring strain suffered in a training drill this afternoon, he will have scans tonight.
The final 22 will be announced on lions.com.au tomorrow.
TEAM: See the squads for both teams
| Position | Player | # | Player | # | Player | # |
| Backs | Marco Paparone | 22 | Matthew Maguire | 36 | Justin Clarke | 42 |
| Half Backs | Claye Beams | 17 | Jed Adcock | 7 | Jaden McGrath | 29 |
| Centreline | Rohan Bewick | 8 | Jack Redden | 30 | Dayne Zorko | 15 |
| Half Forwards | Allen Christensen | 3 | Josh Green | 6 | Michael Close | 33 |
| Forwards | Daniel McStay | 25 | Stefan Martin | 12 | Sam Mayes | 32 |
| Followers | Matthew Leuenberger | 23 | Dayne Beams | 9 | Mitch Robinson | 5 |
| Interchange From | James Aish | 4 | Daniel Rich | 10 | Tom Cutler | 26 |
| Lewis Taylor | 28 | Ryan Lester | 35 | Mitchell Golby | 41 | |
| Zac O'Brien | 47 |
