Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews is set to expose a bunch of cubs to AFL action by picking three untried draftees in his extended team for Sunday's clash with the winless Melbourne.

Already without injured Irishman Colm Begley (quad), Matthews has dumped small forward Ash McGrath and included Tom Collier, James Polkinghorne and Bradd Dalziell in Brisbane's 25-man squad.

Polkinghorne, Dalziell and Collier will make their senior debuts if selected in the final 22 against the Demons at the Gabba.

The nuggety Polkinghorne, the No.41 selection at last year's draft and nephew of former Hawks star David Polkinghorne, looms as the most likely to debut after showing good signs up forward in the reserves for the Suncoast Lions.

Fellow draftee Lachlan Henderson is also among the five new additions to the team which fell two goals short in an invigorating shoot-out against Hawthorn last weekend.

Midfielder Scott Harding, rewarded for his blistering form for the Lions reserves, has not played a senior match this year but is expected to get the nod after winning selection ahead of Albert Proud.

Former Demons club champion Travis Johnstone will line up against his former club for the first time since being traded to the Lions at the end of last year.

Fellow midfielder Michael Rischitelli will play his 50th match for Brisbane who are just out of the top eight with a 2-3 record after five rounds.

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