Ruck revelation Mitch Clark was as disappointed as any Lion to see Cameron Wood leave the Gabba for Collingwood in late 2007.

Interstate opponents at junior level and fellow first-round draft picks, the pair spent plenty of their AFL apprenticeship together as Brisbane rebuilt from four straight grand final appearances.

But if it were not for Wood wanting to emerge from the shadows cast by Jamie Charman, Beau McDonald and Matthew Leuenberger and joining the Magpies, Clark probably wouldn't be Brisbane's 2009 success story.

Wood's move hasn't as yet paid off for the West Adelaide product but Josh Fraser's knee surgery gives him the chance to prove doubters wrong against his old club at the MCG on Saturday night.

Clark, for one, is on guard, especially after having his colours lowered by Wood in their only previous encounter - an Under-16 clash in 2003 when his WA outfit lost to the Croweaters.

"He was up here for a few years and it was sad to see him go," Clark said of his mate.

"I actually played against him when we were 16 as well, and he got the points, I had to go forward. He was a massive unit back then.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge, I'm going to have my work cut out."

Clark finished the 2003 national titles as the joint player of the championships with Richmond star Brett Deledio but the 2005 No.9 draft pick only played 22 senior matches in his first three AFL seasons due to groin, knee and quad injuries.

This year, he's played all 17 and excelled.

A 198cm key forward, he never gave the ruck a moment's thought when Wood, drafted a year earlier, departed.

But the unexpected retirement of McDonald and this season's injuries to Charman (ankle) and Leuenberger (knee) propelled him into the role.

What started as a makeshift, pinch-hitting move has developed into something far more with the hard-running 21-year-old's form helping his club to an 11-6 record - equal with Collingwood - and putting him in all-Australian contention.

"I'm not too sure if he (Wood) wanted to leave," Clark said.

"(But) I suppose I see myself as more of a forward and at the moment I'm just developing my game in the ruck, whether that continues on in the years to come who knows."

In spite of the unorthodox route to the centre bounce, he isn't rushing first-choice big man Leuenberger back too quickly from knee surgery with the finals six weeks away.

"I think it would be good for me to get a hand but I'm enjoying shouldering most of the workload at the moment, I think it's good for my footy," he said.

"Obviously I had a tough few years to start so I'm enjoying it and enjoying being fit and out with the boys and feel important to the team at the moment which is good for my confidence."

Underlining Clark's importance to the Lions, mercurial utility Jared Brennan is set to play as his back-up against Collingwood.

Rookie Joel Tippett, brother of Adelaide's Kurt, is the only other fit ruckman at the club.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP