Michael Close will make his long-awaited return to senior football on Saturday against Port Adelaide at the GABBA.
The key-forward will also celebrate his 22nd birthday against the Power, running out for the first time since Round 2, 2015.
Close missed almost the whole 2015 season with an ACL injury. He returned this year after a strong pre-season only to be sidelined again after fracturing his wrist and injurying a ligament in his ankle.
Close is one of five inclusions to the Lions' side that defeated Essendon by 37-points last weekend.
Match Centre: Follow the game live
As announced on lions.com.au earlier today, Archie Smith and Sam Skinner will debut, bringing the total number of Lions debutants this season to nine.
#InsideTheDen: We'll have another two debutants this weekend! Congrats boys https://t.co/fDxv9Yg53q
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) July 28, 2016
Lewis Taylor will return from a two-week hiatus with an ankle injury, while Nick Robertson has earned a senior recall.
Ruckman Archie Smith will replace Stefan Martin who will be rested.
Rohan Bewick (groin) and first year player Reuben William (groin) will also miss.
Darcy Gardiner (ankle) and Josh Schache (general soreness) will also be sidelined.
Bouncedown is at 7.25pm.
View full team lists of both sides here
Team
| B | #14 Josh Walker | #21 Daniel Merrett | #26 Tom Cutler |
| HB | #24 Liam Dawson | #31 Harris Andrews | #32 Sam Mayes |
| C | #38 Thomas Rockliff | #1 Ben Keays | #28 Lewis Taylor |
| HF | #11 Pearce Hanley | #40 Matthew Hammelmann | #30 Eric Hipwood |
| F | #6 Josh Green | #33 Michael Close | #4 Ryan Bastinac |
| FOL | #44 Archie Smith | #10 Daniel Rich | #5 Mitch Robinson |
| INT | #15 Dayne Zorko | #18 Nicholas Robertson | #36 Rhys Mathieson |
| #41 Sam Skinner | |||
| E | #16 Jarrad Jansen | #34 Jonathan Freeman | #35 Ryan Lester |
In: Lewis Taylor, Michael Close, Archie Smith, Nicholas Robertson, Sam Skinner
Out: Darcy Gardiner (ankle), Rohan Bewick (groin), Josh Schache (general soreness), Stefan Martin (rested), Reuben William (groin)
Milestones: Archie Smith (1st AFL game), Sam Skinner (1st AFL game)
New: Archie Smith (Mt. Gravatt), Sam Skinner (Gippsland Power)
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