Lions coach Sam Martyn played with Mahon at now-defunct side Canberra Demons, and has lured his former housemate to play "a handful of games" for the unbeaten side.

The inside midfielder, a former best and fairest winner at Eastlake will travel from Melbourne and is expected to make his debut at Collingullie-Glenfield Park on Saturday.

It will only strengthen a Lions side which belted Turvey Park by 87 points last week, and Martyn will face some headaches picking his midfield with Matt Hamblin and Tom Sase (Giants Academy commitments) and Michael Rothnie also set to return at Crossroads Oval.

"I saw he was playing soccer in Melbourne this year and asked him if he was interested in having a kick," Martyn said.

"He's such a quality footy player and very versatile. He's over 190cm and has won a couple of best and fairests at Eastlake, running on-ball and in the half-back line. You could throw him anywhere.

"We'll probably use him on ball to beef up our midfield stocks, we've identified a need for another bigger midfielder.

"We're using Jack Sase in that role and Tom Anderson plays above his size and has been good for us, but we needed a big body to add to our mix.

"But he will be dangerous across half-back or up forward too, we've struck gold with a beauty."

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The 28-year-old's grandparents live in Wagga and he has other family in Canberra, which played a big role in his decision.

"He lives in Melbourne, so we had to take that into account. But he's pretty optimistic he can play between five and eight games, and I'm sure with the culture we have he'll enjoy it and want to play more," he said.

"He's in that mould where he's not quite tall enough to be a key forward or back, but he's a good utility.

"Even in my time at Canberra Demons we threw him up forward one game and he kicked three goals to win it for us."

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