Keidean Coleman ready for long-awaited AFL return in Brisbane’s game against Melbourne

Lions coach Chris Fagan will be happy with a “contribution” from Keidean Coleman against Melbourne at the Gabba on Sunday, warning not to place “too much pressure” on the returning Brisbane star.

Coleman will make his first AFL appearance since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the second quarter of the Lions’ first match of their 2024 campaign against Carlton 14 months ago.

Having made a successful comeback in recent weeks in Brisbane’s VFL team, half-back Coleman has done enough to convince Fagan he’s ready for a return to top-flight football, with the unavailability of Jarrod Berry (concussion protocols) providing an opening in Brisbane’s star-studded line-up.

“It’s been a long road back for him,” Fagan said on Saturday.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him. He hasn’t played (in the AFL) really (apart from less than a half against Carlton) since the grand final in 2023 where he was runner-up in the Norm Smith Medal.

“We’re excited because we know what a good player he is, but we don’t expect him to be at that level yet.

“It might take a little while to find his feet playing back at AFL level because the intensity goes up a fair bit, so I’ll moderate my expectations and just hope he gets through, and that he can make a contribution, and that he builds up as we go through the season.”

Coleman’s injury last year led to Lions veteran Dayne Zorko making a full-time, and extremely successful, switch to Brisbane’s half-back line.

Fagan was confident with the “balance” of his side with having both Coleman and Zorko in half-back roles.

“They can both play there. Zorko can play in a lot of positions, so can Jaspa Fletcher, who’s been playing back there. Even Darcy Wilmot can play on the wing as well, so we’ve got flexibility among those guys,” the Lions coach said.

“I’m not 100 per cent certain what it will look like down the track, and sometimes injury, unfortunately, can have a say with what your team looks like.

“We’ll just wait and see, but for now, we’ve got a good balance this weekend with our team.”

The inclusion of Coleman is one two changes to the Brisbane 23 that drew 71-71 with North Melbourne last Sunday, with the versatile Conor McKenna also coming in for omitted forward-ruckman Darcy Fort.

Fort’s omission means that forward Eric Hipwood will chip in with some rucking duties to assist the Lions’ first-choice ruckman Oscar McInerney.

“I expect that to be the case,” Fagan said.

“Oscar will do the lion’s share of the work, as he always does, and then Eric will play a little bit more like (the now retired) Joey Daniher did last year, pinch-hitting in the ruck occasionally.”

Fagan didn’t rule out “alternating” McInerney and Fort – both in their 30s – during the season to “keep them fresh”.

“Ruckmen get sore from time to time. They carry a heavy load,” he said.