Marcus Adams will debut for the Brisbane Lions in a hotly contested game against the GWS GIANTS in Sydney, with both teams vying for a top four spot.

Adams has been named on Senior Coach Chris Fagan’s interchange bench, alongside Alex Witherden who makes his return after suffering a virus last week.

26-year-old Adams came to the Lions in October via the NAB AFL Trade Period, after playing 27 AFL games for the Western Bulldogs.

His first pre-season with the Lions was far from smooth, with the defender requiring surgery twice on a troublesome knee.

Adams finally returned to the field two weeks ago via the NEAFL and Fagan believes he is ready for senior footy.

“He’s a player we recruited here. We thought he could be in our best 22. He’s had a couple of games in the NEAFL,” he said.

“He’s performed fairly strongly, although albeit a little bit difficult to assess form. He’s been playing down back in games where teams won by a lot.

“His training form’s very good.”

Brandon Starcevich has been omitted from the team but has been named as an emergency, along with Archie Smith, Nick Robertson and Josh Walker.

The team will travel to Sydney tomorrow and Fagan is hoping his Lions men embrace a huge challenge that awaits them, with the GIANTS possessing an impressive home ground advantage.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity and that’s how we embrace it,” Fagan said.

“They’ve got an exceptional record at that oval this year. I think their average winning margin in 74 points.

“On the surface that seems like a daunting task…we got to face up to these challenges and embrace them and that’s what we’ll do.”