Hawksley to debut

19 year-old midfielder James Hawksley will make his senior debut against Frematle on Sunday afternoon at the Gabba. The young West Australian was chosen by the Lions with Pick No.38 in the 2006 National Draft before a serious finger injury kept him out for most of last season.

Hawksley has been impressive in his matches with the Suncoast Lions so far this season playing predominantly on the ball.

Two-time premiership player Robert Copeland also returns to replace the injured Jason Roe and Ashley McGrath.

It will be the first time in three weeks that the Lions have made a change to their senior side.

James Polkinghorne, Cheynee Stiller and Matthew Leuenberger were named as the emergencies.

The Lions’ full team is:

B: Josh Drummond (39), Daniel Merrett (21), Joel Patfull (24)
HB: Jared Brennan (17), Joel Macdonald (26), Troy Selwood (28)
C: Anthony Corrie (18), Simon Black (20), Tim Notting (8)
HF: Michael Rischitelli (35), Jonathan Brown (16), Justin Sherman (11)
F: Rhan Hooper (33), Daniel Bradshaw (36), Travis Johnstone (4)
Foll: Jamie Charman (19), Luke Power (6), Jed Adcock (7)
Int (from): Scott Harding (5), Robert Copeland (30), Mitch Clark (1), James Hawksley (12).

Emerg: James Polkinghorne (31), Cheynee Stiller (32), Matthew Leuenberger (23)

IN: Robert Copeland, James Hawksley

OUT: Jason Roe (hamstring), Ashley McGrath (hamstring)

NEW: James Hawksley (Peel – W.A)