Former Rising Star Daniel Rich has declared first-round draft pick Jared Polec primed and ready to make his AFL debut for the wounded Brisbane Lions.

Teenage midfielder Polec, chosen at No.5 in last year's draft, is well in the mix to play his first senior game on Sunday after being named in the Lions' squad to play Melbourne at the MCG.

The South Australian, 18, narrowly missed out last Sunday when named on Brisbane's emergency list before their 78-point thumping by the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

Rich, who took out the 2009 Rising Star Award after playing every match as a first-year Lion, said Polec would immediately rise to the challenge.

"He's going really well," said Rich, selected at No.7 in the 2008 draft.

"Obviously he had some really good games in the reserves and that earned that emergency role last week.

"I'm sure if he did get picked he'll definitely play his role and the boys would have that trust and back him 100 per cent because we know he's a really good young player for the club."

Along with Polec, Tom Collier and key-position forward Aaron Cornelius have been added to the Lions' squad.

The Woodville-West Torrens product possesses blistering pace and silky skills, making his mark last year by earning All-Australian selection at the national under-18 championships before starring for the Eagles in the SANFL finals.

Rich himself made an outstanding transition from first-round draft pick to senior football and is heartened by the development of the Lions' many young cubs in 2011.

Despite the round two mauling at the hands of the Bulldogs, the on-baller denied there was need for many changes to the Lions' personnel nor their plans.

"It was obviously a pretty disappointing loss last week but there's not many things we need to change, it's probably more the execution of our game plan," he said. "It's just a few tweaks here and there.

"To be honest it didn't feel like we lost by 78 points on the weekend.

"It's a long year and it's only two games in. The young kids have been performing well and hopefully the next group takes that step forward.

"The mood definitely hasn't changed around the club."

Rich's three-year contract expires at the end of the year and there's been speculation he could return home to Western Australia or be the target of a lucrative offer from the GWS Giants.

But the 20-year-old reiterated he was keen to stay in Brisbane and help take the Lions to a new period of success.

"It's an exciting time moving forward," he said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP