Kalin Lane will make his Lions debut against VFL ladder leaders Southport at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday.

The 19-year-old only arrived at the Club on Monday after being selected in the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie draft.

He has been pitched straight into a young and inexperienced Lions outfit that has just lost AFL experience in the form of Rhys Mathieson, James Madden and Tom Fullarton who have traveled with the senior team to Hobart.

Southport boasts a hardened squad with recent NEAFL premiership-winning experience and Lions coach Mitch Hahn said they presented a perfect

“We have to bring energy and enthusiasm, we’ll be the youngest we’ve been all season against an experienced Southport side that are on top of the ladder,’’ he said.

“So, it is going to be a big challenge but also another opportunity for our guys to test themselves against a very strong opponent. “

Key defender Jack Payne returns after a long lay-off with a stress fracture in his foot suffered in the Round 3 AFL victory over Collingwood.

However, Hahn’s hopes of also being able to include senior players Jarrod Berry (groin) and Cam Ellis-Yolmen (Achilles) have been dashed with the Club’s high-performance staff deeming the pair needed another week on the sidelines before returning.

Hahn said it had been a whirlwind few days for West Australian Lane and the only instruction he had given the 204cm ruckman was to enjoy the experience.

“We just expect him to go out there and play his game, we want him to enjoy himself in his first game for the Brisbane Lions,’’ he said.

“We aren’t going to load him up on information, we are happy for him to get to know his teammates and get a feel for how we play.

“There’s no expectations on him other than to enjoy himself in his Lions debut and give it his best shot.’’

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