The recall of Brisbane tall Oscar McInerney will no doubt give the club an emotional boost, although coach Chris Fagan says that would be a "bonus".
The Lions are still dusting themselves off after last week's mauling at the hands of premiership favourites Geelong, and will take on Gold Coast in the first-ever QClash final on Saturday at the Gabba.
Fagan made two selection calls, albeit one forced with Lachie Neale being ruled out of 2025 with a calf injury.
Sam Day was omitted, and will join Neale on the sidelines, as Bruce Reville and McInerney take their place.
The Brisbane ruckman was the heartbreak story of 2024, dislocating his shoulder twice during the preliminary final win against the Cats, and was ultimately left out as Darcy Fort became a premiership hero.
As a result, McInerney has struggled to get his campaign going following the injury, playing only 11 games due to shoulder and back problems, while also spending a large stint in the VFL.
However, his past three weeks have given Fagan confidence that he's prepared to combat in-form Suns ruck Jarrod Witts, along with Fort.
"He's played three full games in the last three weeks in the VFL and he's played really well," Fagan said.
"When you get to finals, you're hard-nosed about those decisions. Whether it's the right one or not, I don't know. Hopefully it is.
"It was hard to tell Sam yesterday. It was disappointing for him."
Fagan also alluded to both Fort and McInerney spending time inside 50 to quell the influence of Sam Collins, Mac Andrew, Joel Jeffrey and Bodhi Uwland.
With the pair of talls set to assist the forward line, the Lions coach has also backed the out-of-form Charlie Cameron, who had two disposals and a goal last week, to respond.
Cameron has largely been down on his usual output since joining Brisbane, kicking a measly 27 majors from 22 outings, his lowest tally since 2018 (17 goals from 11 games).
"Charlie had a quiet game last week and he's disappointed about that, but the week before that he kicked 2.3 (against Hawthorn) and had plenty of tackles and the week before that he kicked 3.1 (against Fremantle) and had plenty of tackles," Fagan said.
"We always raise his name when he has not such a good game, but we never really talk about him much when he's playing well.
"That's been the pattern all year.
"He definitely had a quiet game last week. He's disappointed. We're not going to go out of our way to give him the ball.
"He's just got to play his part in the team and hopefully if he does that right, he'll have a good game."
