Olsson, last year's Riverina League player of the year and a five-time GGGM best-and-fairest winner, had initially opted not to play this season due to COVID-19 concerns and family commitments.

But his return, along with the inclusion of Coleambally co-coach and returning former Lion Curtis Steele for the first time this year, is a massive boost to the Lions' premiership hopes.

Walsh said Dan Foley will start in the ruck against the Ostriches after impressing in the opening two rounds, with Olsson to begin up forward after Riley Corbett's season-ending ankle injury last week.

"We probably weren't that strong in the clearances and stoppages last weekend and it's a big help to have Olsso back, but Dan's been big around the ground and gone to another level," Walsh said.

"He'll get the first go at playing in the ruck and Olsso will try and fill the void of Riley up forward. They'll probably do 50-50 (ruck duties), but we're lacking a tall at forward as well.

"Being away for a fair bit it may take (Olsso) a couple of weeks to get his fitness base back up. Dan's been doing a really good job so we want to keep him playing a similar role.

"There's been no pressure put on Olsso (to return) or anything like that, it was up to him, and this week I guess he decided with the Albury restrictions being eased he felt like it was the right time to come back."

The Lions also welcome back key defender Josh Walsh this week, who would have been handy in the one-point loss to Wagga in round two, where Luke Gestier bagged five second half goals to spearhead a late Tigers fightback.

Walsh said the loss, where they gave up a four-goal lead midway through the last term, could be a blessing in disguise.

"It might end up being a good thing really, just a little extra bit of motivation," he said.

"We're probably not where we thought we were. Everyone will use it to try and go to another level this week, because you don't have long to do it this year.

"It's a good leveller for our group. Not that we got ahead of ourselves, but we got an early realisation of where our group is at."

Osborne will be without coach Joel Mackie after he suffered a hamstring strain in last week's loss to Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes.

Mackie is expected to miss at least two matches, while youngster Sam Stenning is also unavailable due to Giants Academy commitments.

They have been replaced by premiership player Josh Griffin and youngster Ethan Weidemann.

"They've got lots of run and spread and play a similar game to Wagga Tigers, where they get the ball on the outside and try and outrun the opposition," Walsh said.

"They're a really good, well drilled side without many weaknesses."

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