PRIZED Brisbane recruit James Aish will make his AFL debut against the Hawks on Saturday, named among four debutants for the club.
The number seven pick in the 2013 National Draft was slated to go much earlier because of his immense talent and senior experience in the SANFL but fell to the Lions as other players shot up the draft order late and clubs picked based on their needs.
He possesses great skill on both sides of his body and his ability to navigate through heavy traffic will be a great addition to the already talented Lions midfield that features Tom Rockliff, Daniel Rich, Brent Moloney and Pearce Hanley.
Aish is one of four new faces for Brisbane, with Lewis Taylor (pick 28 at the 2013 draft) and Michael Close (pick 32 in 2012) also set to make their AFL debut.
Former Geelong ruckman Trent West will also make his debut for the club after crossing from the Cats to the Lions during last year’s trade period.
At just 173cm, what Taylor lacks in height he makes up for in speed and endurance. He has been likened to Kangaroos champion, Brent Harvey.
The Lions have also been bolstered by the availability and selection of triple premiership players and former captain Jonathan Brown, who’ll again lead their forward line this season.
Brown will be supported by debutant Close, who is a 196cm forward from North Ballarat. After spending last season developing in the QAFL, he has put on size over the pre-season, which hasn’t seemed to affect his great running capacity, which is elite for his size.
Gun midfielders Hanley, Rockliff, Moloney and Jack Redden have all been selected, as has influential ruckman Matthew Leuenberger who was the dominant ruckman on the ground against the Hawks in the Round 14 clash last year.
Round 1
Hawthorn v Brisbane
Saturday 22 March
Aurora Stadium, 4.40pm
Hawthorn
B: Taylor Duryea, Josh Gibson, Shaun Burgoyne
HB: Matthew Suckling, Kyle Cheney, Grant Birchall
C: Liam Shiels, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis
HF: Luke Breust, Jarryd Roughead, Bradley Hill
F: Jack Gunston, David Hale, Paul Puopolo
Foll: Ben McEvoy, Luke Hodge, Will Langford
I/C: Tim O'Brien, Isaac Smith, Derick Wanganeen, Jonathan Simpkin
EMG: Alex Woodward, Jonathon Ceglar, Angus Litherland
Brisbane
B: Ryan Harwood, Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock
HB: Justin Clarke, Joel Patfull, Mitch Golby
C: Pearce Hanley, Daniel Rich, James Aish
HF: Josh Green, Trent West, Dayne Zorko
F: Sam Mayes, Jonathan Brown, Tom Rockliff
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Jack Redden, Brent Moloney
I/C: Ryan Lester, Michael Close, Lewis Taylor, Marco Paparone
EMG: Nick Robertson, Rohan Bewick, Jordan Lisle
