Premiership Lion Conor McKenna, young guns Will McLachlan and Zane Zakostelsky have been named in the Brisbane Lions side for Round 3 of the Smithy’s VFL.

The Lions will play their second game at their Springfield base in a row to start the season with Brighton Homes Arena hosting the clash with Sandringham.

McKenna and McLachlan both return from injury replace current Youi Lions Academy player Archie Smith and former Youi Lions Academy member, Brad McDonald.

Zakostelsky who made his AFL debut in Opening Round returns to the VFL with Darragh Joyce elevated to the AFL squad.

VFL listed defender Harry Arnold will run out for his fiftieth VFL appearance having been part of the Lions program since 2021.

The 195-centimetre key defender was drafted by Sydney with pick 5 in the 2023 mid-season draft spending 18 months on their AFL list before returning to the Lions in 2025.

Arnold was recently selected in the 43-player Smithy’s VFL State Team squad ahead of next week’s clash with the SANFL in Gather Round.

McDonald, Harrison Bridge and Bailey Hahn have been named as the emergencies.

Fans are encouraged to get down the Brighton Homes Arena for the first bounce at 11:05am.

If you can’t make the game, you can follow along with the Lions socials for live updates or catch all the action on the AFL app or the live stream on https://www.afl.com.au/vfl.