Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale is set to gain big minutes in Brisbane's AFL scratch match against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
The Lions have kept their star midfielder on a modified program throughout the preseason after his stellar 2020 campaign but coach Chris Fagan is confident Neale will have a good hitout against the Suns.
"We had a practice game, a full-length game last week, Lachie played half of that game (and) pulled up really well," Fagan said.
"He'll pretty much play the whole game tomorrow but we'll just make sure he gets plenty of spells on the bench.
"By the end of the day hopefully he's played around 75 per cent, 80 per cent game time.
"That's the progression for him but he's training really well, and looks like he's not too far away from being in great shape."
Recruit Joe Daniher is also likely to get a good run in what will be his first appearance against a rival club since his move by free agency from Essendon.
The tall forward's arrival will almost certainly lead to Fagan dropping the two ruckman approach of recent times with Brisbane with one of Daniher, Eric Hipwood or Daniel McStay to support Oscar McInerney in the ruck.
"Joey will probably play second ruck or one of the other boys," Fagan said.
"We've just got to work through that but no, we'll probably move away from that model (dual rucks)."
Fellow newcomer Nakia Cockatoo will not play after picking up a minor hamstring strain last week.
The ex-Geelong forward has arrived at Brisbane after two injury-plagued years with the Cats but Fagan says the 24-year-old's latest niggle isn't worrying him hugely.
"He's in good shape at the moment and running really well so he'll get introduced back into to skills and stuff this week and whether he's done enough work to be in line for selection in round one, only time will tell but we're happy with where he's at."
Australian Associated Press
