Premiership forward Eric Hipwood has been named for his first game in almost a year when the Brisbane Lions face Richmond.
The 28-year-old has spent nine months rehabilitating post knee surgery after a partial tear was discovered in his surgically repaired anterior cruciate ligament while recovering from a separate calf injury.
Hipwood missed Brisbane's second-straight premiership last September, his previous appearance coming in a round-23 win over Fremantle.
It was his second long lay-off after previously requiring a knee reconstruction.
Hipwood has been included in an extended squad for the Lions' clash with Richmond in Hobart on Sunday.
It is a timely inclusion for Brisbane, who returned to form against Gold Coast last week following three-straight concerning losses.
The Tigers will welcome back speedster Maurice Rioli Jnr from a hamstring injury.
