Darcy Wilmot tipped to shine if granted debut in elimination final

With Marcus Adams and Noah Answerth out, the Brisbane Lions are in need of some defensive cover for the AFL finals series.

Darcy Wilmot’s AFL debut could come in an elimination final. Picture: Michael Klein

Lions veteran Daniel Rich has backed “spunky” rookie Darcy Wilmot to rise to the occasion if he’s handed his AFL debut in Brisbane’s do-or-die finals affair against Richmond on Thursday night at the Gabba.

With Noah Answerth suspended and Marcus Adams’ season potentially over due to ongoing concussion effects, there are spots up for grabs in Brisbane’s defence.

Wilmot, 18, was the Lions’ first pick in last year’s AFL draft at No.16, but is yet to make his senior debut.

In an indication Wilmot is being considered by Lions coach Chris Fagan, he didn’t play for Brisbane’s VFL side in its weekend finals loss to Southport.

While it would be a selection gamble to blood Wilmot in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of an elimination final, experienced defender Rich tipped the teenager to flourish if given an opportunity.

“He’s a pretty exciting young player – he’s got a lot of spunk to him,” Rich said of Wilmot.

“If he gets that chance, it’s going to be really exciting for him and the boys. He brings a lot of energy and hopefully we see him out there.

“To debut in a final would be massive. It doesn’t happen very often, but you hear some pretty good stories.”

Marcus Adams is ‘done’ for the season. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

A feel-good story is what the Lions need after being thrashed in the final round of the regular season by Melbourne and the loss of key defender Adams, who hasn’t recovered from delayed concussion after receiving a heavy knock in Brisbane’s win over Carlton on August 7.

Fagan told SEN on Monday that Adams “looks to be done”.

Rich said Adams’ health was the priority and that concussion could not be “taken lightly”.

While Adams hasn’t recovered from his bout of concussion, the versatile Callum Ah Chee – who has missed Brisbane’s past two AFL matches after being hit by Carlton’s Patrick Cripps – has returned via the VFL, and could play on Thursday night.

The Lions must also find a replacement for banned forward Cam Rayner, who was suspended for one match after being charged with careless conduct for a tackle on Melbourne’s Ben Brown.

Rayner’s loss is a blow for a Brisbane side whose captain Dayne Zorko will be under the spotlight following his sledging of Harrison Petty in the Lions’ loss to Melbourne.

Rich said Zorko loved to “play in big games”.

“He’s an important player in our team,” Rich said.

“He’s a pretty happy kind of guy. The good thing is it (the Petty incident) is all in the past now and we’re looking forward to the finals.”

Originally published as Darcy Wilmot tipped to shine if granted debut in elimination final