Grant Birchall is poised to play his first game against his former club, Hawthorn, in front of no spectators, with the defender being named in Senior Coach Chris Fagan’s extended squad for Round 1 of the 2020 season.

Three players also have the potential to make their AFL debut in the Club’s season opener against the Hawks on Sunday afternoon, with Keidean Coleman, Connor Ballenden and Deven Robertson named on the extended interchange bench.

Coleman and Robertson are first-year draftees who have enjoyed strong pre-seasons. Coleman played for the Lions NEAFL side for the entire 2019 season, while Robertson enjoyed his first senior hit out in the Club’s second Marsh Community Series against Hawthorn.

Fagan has opted to name two rucks for the Hawks hit-out, with Stefan Martin starting in the centerline and Oscar McInerney named in the forward line.

Zac Bailey, who spent most of the 2019 AFL season in the backline, has been named at half-forward alongside Eric Hipwood and Cam Rayner.

Alex Witherden, Jarrod Berry, Lincoln McCarthy, Ryan Lester and Brandon Starcevich are the other players named on the extended interchange bench. A final team will be announced tomorrow.