3 minute read
Brisbane have recalled Mitch Robinson for the AFL clash with St Kilda after the veteran has struggled to hold his place in the side this season.
Chris Fagan expects to see plenty of Brisbane hard-man Mitch Robinson's "trademark vigour" in the AFL clash with St Kilda.
Robinson's position in the Lions' best side has come under question this season, with the 238-game veteran featuring just twice at senior level since round five.
Both times he was the medical substitute, including once when he was not activated.
But he has been recalled to add some grunt to the side after a loss to Fremantle, with Brisbane facing a fellow top-four contender for the second straight week.
The Lions (9-3) host St Kilda (8-3) at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Robinson reclaims his spot on a wing, where Jaxon Prior and Callum Ah Chee have also been used this season.
"He's played really well in the reserves, which is what you're supposed to do when you get dropped," Fagan said.
"He's done that over a period of time and we just felt like those efforts needed to be rewarded.
"Those other boys have played good roles for us and their form's been a little off in more recent times.
"Robbo just brings that vigour that we all know is his trademark that he's played with all the way through his career.
"He understands the wing role particularly well (and) he's been doing a good job of that for the best part of the last five years, so it was natural enough for us to pick him on this occasion."
Joe Daniher is back after six weeks out with a shoulder injury, lining up alongside fellow tall forwards Daniel McStay and Eric Hipwood for the first time in 11 months.
Ruck-forward Darcy Fort makes way for Daniher, leaving Oscar McInerney to do the bulk of the ruck work against Saints duo Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall.
"Oscar's very capable of playing the large majority of the game in the ruck and he'll just need a little bit of help from those boys in the forward line from time to time," Fagan said.
"It's not like it's a new thing for us; we played that way for a big chunk of last year and did so pretty successfully, I might add.
"We understand that St Kilda have got two terrific ruckmen but we'll back our ruckman in and our other systems that we've got in place to counteract that."
Jack Higgins returns for St Kilda after three weeks out because of his second concussion this season.
Fellow small forward Dan Butler is also back, having booted five goals in the VFL last week after previously battling Achilles soreness.
McStay will play his 150th game for the Lions.
"If you were to give an award for the best teammate, I reckon he'd win it with the way he plays the game," Fagan said.
"There's so much that he does on the field that doesn't end up in a stat."
