Brisbane's extensive unavailability list heading into Round 1 rivals Essendon's unprecedented injury contingent in 2025, meaning depth tall Darragh Joyce was put up to the plate.
Joyce was in hospital earlier in the week, and left on Tuesday due to an infection in his elbow.
The reigning premiers have been stripped bare of key position players, with defensive duo Harris Andrews (three weeks) and Darcy Gardiner (one week) slapped with suspension, leaving veteran Ryan Lester and recent debutant Zane Zakostelsky to shoulder the load.
In an ideal world, Lions coach Chris Fagan wouldn't name Joyce as an emergency, but was left with little choice.
The absence of Logan Morris and Eric Hipwood in the front half was played a part.
"He was in hospital up until Tuesday with an infection in his elbow," Fagan said.
"He did train yesterday, so he is available if we need him. But, ideally, we wouldn't be naming him as an emergency, it's just we haven't got anyone else at the moment that's available that can play key position, defender or forward.
"He can play if we need him too, but at this stage we don't.
"That's the situation we find ourselves in."
Andrews, Gardiner and Morris weren't the only outs for the highly-anticipated Swans, with Hugh McCluggage (calf) and Zac Bailey (suspension) also missing.
"Five changes, that's a few," Fagan added.
"Three of them are All-Australians. It's a big challenge.
"We probably face adversity reasonably early in the season. But the thing about it is, particularly over the last couple of years, we've been able to cope with that really well.
"It's going to take one of our better efforts to do it, but we're up for the challenge."
The Lions will unearth top draftee Dan Annable as well as recruit Sam Draper.
Noah Answerth and James Tunstill return to the side, while Lincoln McCarthy will play his first AFL game since Round 8, 2024.
McCarthy suffered back-to-back ACL injuries, voiding him of premiership success.
Brisbane's VFL side also cancelled its practice match with the Southport Sharks due to player unavailability.
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