ZAC O’BRIEN has been rewarded for a strong pre-season, selected in the final 22 for Sunday’s game against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

The midfielder was upgraded from the rookie list early this week in place of Pearce Hanley who is out until the middle of the year after hip surgery.

O’Brien has been brought into the side to cover the loss of injured skipper Tom Rockliff.

Rockliff will miss 4-6 weeks of football after scans confirmed broken ribs and a punctured lung sustained in last Saturday’s match against Collingwood.

24-year-old, O’Brien, joined the Lions at the end of 2013 as a mature age rookie after a standout season in the VFL.

Key forward Michael Close has also been included as has Matt Maguire who will cover for Dan Merrett (Hamstring).

James Aish has been omitted.

To see the updated team who take on North Melbourne on Sunday, click here!