Brisbane is set to unearth Academy prospect Shadeau Brain into the AFL for his first game as the club battles its injury woes.
Brain - who joined the Lions at the end of the 2022 season - was pre-selected as a Category B Rookie, impressing in the VFL as a hybrid forward-midfield type player.
Shadeau Brain is set to make his debut this weekend in Adelaide - congrats mate, well deserved ๐๐ฆ pic.twitter.com/EG4uXwvLUj
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) May 10, 2024
Coach Chris Fagan hinted on Friday that the 20-year-old will get a look in due to the injury woes suffered by the club, which sees Darcy Gardiner (ACL), Lincoln McCarthy (ACL), Brandon Starcevich (calf) and Noah Answerth (concussion) exit the senior side.
"He's a great story, Shadeau," Fagan said on Friday.
"He comes from a large family, there's about 13 kids, so he's learnt to fight for everything he's got.
"He's come through our academy, he's a rookie, he's a much-loved character around our footy club. Just a real honest bloke who works hard on his footy.
"His form has been really consistent in the reserves."
The absence of experienced players has offered opportunities to Brain alongside Logan Morris and Bruce Reville, which Fagan is excited about.
"This does provide us with an opportunity to look at how the younger guys are developing and we'll see how they go," Fagan said.
"I'm pretty sure whatever happens that it'll be a positive."
Brain becomes the second Brisbane Lions Academy graduate to debut in as many weeks for the Club, following Reville's debut against the SUNS.
The utility said he was shocked but excited to get his opportunity at AFL level this weekend.
โI got the call from Fages (Chris Fagan) and was in a bit of shock, to be honest. I knew we'd had some injuries, but it was still pretty incredible to get that call from him,โ Brain said.
โHe told me he just wants me to bring my energy and my effort, and the rest will take care of itself.
โI've worked really hard to be fit and firing for this season and I'm excited to get this opportunity at AFL level.โ
Lions General Manager Football, Danny Daly said Brain's selection was a deserving reward for his dedication and development over the last two years.
โShadeau has worked very hard since joining our football program and as a result thoroughly deserves to be debuting against the Crows,โ Daly said.
โIt's even more special with Shadeau being a Queensland local and someone who has come through our Brisbane Lions Academy.
โHe is a player with natural talent and a bit of โx-factor' who has shown consistently good form in the VFL, and we look forward to seeing what he can bring on Sunday.โ
Brain recently penned a two-year extension with the Lions.
