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Brisbane will need to muster their “greatest ever win” under coach Chris Fagan if they are to march on this finals series, as Richmond roll the dice on an “80 per cent fit” Dustin Martin.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick confirmed Martin would play while not fully fit in a move that surprised AFL360 co-host Mark Robinson.
“They are not just putting him in because he’s been able to run laps,” Robinson said.
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“They must have been able to do some really vigorous training somewhere and some stage, because it’s too hard – you can’t go in (if a liability).
“It’s too big of a risk to take someone in and they’re going to get injured and he’s out halfway through the second quarter.”
While Martin gets the nod for the Tigers, Brisbane have been forced to name an understrength line up for the do-or-die clash.
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Cam Rayner and Noah Answerth miss through suspension while midfielder Jarryd Lyons was ruled out through injury.
The Lions named Darcy Wilmot for his debut – becoming just the third player in almost 30 years to play his first AFL game in a final. He will also become Brisbane’s first ever finals debutant.
“That’s not the best Lions line up,” AFL360 co-host Gerard Whateley lamented.
“It’s the wrong time of year to be calling on the emergency stocks.
“Wilmot is a highly rated draft pick but it’s not in the planning that he would be required at this stage.
“To lose Lyons out of the midfield and they haven’t added there, this is a makeshift time.
“This is a blood and guts, heart and soul performance required from the Lions.”
Callum Ah Chee has not been named for his first game since he was concussed in a brutal bump by Carlton’s Patrick Cripps.
Robinson said the Lions’ forward line really had to rally if they were to secure the win at home and keep their season alive.
“This could be Brisbane’s greatest ever victory under Chris Fagan – that’s how high I think this mountain is for them,” he said.
“Jarryd Lyons is out … he’s this sort of semi-unnoticed midfielder. People look at him and go, ‘Gee he’s not a bad player Jarryd Lyons’. We’ve been saying that for five years.
“Someone has to step up – (Hugh) McCluggage has already had a super year, (Zac) Bailey has to go from a really good player to a game breaker.
“If I were the forwards coach, I’d be sitting down (Dan) McStay, (Joe) Daniher and (Eric) Hipwood and say: ‘Listen you three, the time has come. Because all year we’ve seen one of you inconsistent, missing goals, bring it now because if you don’t bring it now and take your opportunity, we’re not going to win this game’.
“There’s the weapons – 1, 2, 3 and they’re not doing it. They’ve got to do it this week.”
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