Daniel Merrett and Lewis Taylor will return to the Brisbane Lions’ line-up when they take on Collingwood at The Gabba on Saturday night.

Merrett was a late withdrawal from last weekend’s match against Port Adelaide with illness but is now recovered and ready to resume his place in the backline.

The veteran defender’s return is vital given news earlier in the week that emerging defender Harris Andrews will miss the match with a foot injury.

19-year-old Andrews will wear a moon boot as the Club reviews the extent of a plantar fascia injury.

Teams: See both full teams here

Lewis Taylor, who was omitted last week after playing 50 consecutive games since debut, looms as a key replacement for Captain Tom Rockliff.

Rockliff limped off the field in the second quarter of Sunday’s 77-point loss to Port. An MRI on Monday afternoon revealed a small tear in his right hamstring.

It continues a frustrating run for the midfielder, who has already endured back-related hamstring and calf problems in 2016.

Josh Green, Trent West and Rhys Mathieson have been listed as emergencies.

Follow the game at the Match Centre

Team:

B #27 Darcy Gardiner#21 Daniel Merrett#25 Daniel McStay
HB#17 Claye Beams#22 Marco Paparone#32 Sam Mayes
C#35 Ryan Lester#3 Allen Christensen#10 Daniel Rich
HF#11 Pearce Hanley#28 Lewis Taylor#8 Rohan Bewick
F#14 Josh Walker#23 Josh Schache#4 Ryan Bastinac
FOL#12 Stefan Martin#15 Dayne Zorko#9 Dayne Beams
INT
#1 Ben Keays#2 Ryan Harwood#5 Mitch Robinson
 #7 Tom Bell  
E#6 Josh Green#13 Trent West#36 Rhys Mathieson

In: Daniel Merrett, Lewis Taylor

Out: Harris Andrews (Foot), Thomas Rockliff (Hamstring)

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