NAB CUP
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THERE will be no shortage of household names in the Brisbane Lions' team for Saturday night despite the confirmation yesterday there will be no Jonathan Brown or Simon Black.
The Lions have set their sights on winning this year's NAB Cup competition and got off to the perfect start last weekend with victories over premiership favourite Hawthorn and Gold Coast.
Brisbane general manager of football operations, Dean Warren, yesterday confirmed that Brown and Black will remain on the sidelines for another week but suggested most other senior players will take on Greater Western Sydney (GWS) in Wagga.
Recently announced co-captain Jed Adcock will make his first appearance for the year on Saturday while Daniel Rich, Tom Rockliff, Jack Redden and new recruit Brent Maloney are also set to play.
"Like we did last weekend, we will use it as an opportunity to play young guys who we can get a bit more of a look at," Warren said yesterday. "We will play some of our rookies and first and second year players.
"At the same time we will use it as an opportunity to give game time to more of our experienced guys as well. It's all about trying to find that balance."
Brisbane is in the unique position of still having a position available on its senior list to fill before the start of the season.
That means the Lions are keen to see as many of their rookie-listed players in action during the NAB Cup to help them decide what player to promote.
Warren also revealed yesterday that there is a big chance that Brisbane ruckman Matt Leuenberger could return from injury to have his first game since round three last year.
Warren said the Lions will be out to win.
"We want to make sure we're competitive and put our best foot forward," Warren said. "We finished off the year pretty strong last year and we want to continue to build that momentum into the start of the season proper.
"That means we have to have a pretty strong NAB Cup."
The Giants may be the newest club in the AFL and last season's wooden spooners but Warren believes they will provide Brisbane with a strong test.
"They've got some outstanding talent and they're to be commended on the way they're being prepared," Warren said.
"Their first year last year was exceptional. It will take a little while to build the side but the talent they're got is unbelievable.
"It's going to be a pretty tough game."