Oscar McInerney has embraced his role as bashful Brisbane cult hero, insisting fans have told him to "move on" after stealing their hearts with his selfless approach to missing the club's AFL grand final win.
The ruckman is back from a dislocated shoulder suffered in last year's preliminary final win over Geelong that cost him a berth in the decider.
Darcy Fort played in McInerney's place and was superb, the pair's embrace after the full-time siren and McInerney's positive spin on his unfortunate circumstance winning plenty of fans.
"You could draw a line that there was (disappointment), but to be honest, not really," McInerney said ahead of Sunday's clash with West Coast at the Gabba.
"I was so fortunate to be involved.
"What the Brisbane Lions have given me in the last nine years … it'd be quite selfish to be down in the dumps, it was a magical day.
"The fans, they've been terrific … (they tell me), 'Righto, new season, get on with it big fella, move on'."
McInerney and Fort both played in the Lions' first-up defeat of Sydney in last weekend's grand final rematch.
That may be a rare occurrence though, with Gold Coast recruit Sam Day - who mourned the death of his father last week - selected ahead of Fort to take on the Eagles.
"I'd play 15 rucks that's my mantra, the more out there the better," McInerney said.
"It's the most unique position in footy clubs, an old-school one-on-one position.
"You create this unique bond. I'm biased, but other positions don't share it.
"We chase each other's tail.
"To see Darc achieve it, incredible, couldn't happen to a nicer guy."
Small forward Charlie Cameron (calf) will miss again after being a late scratching to face the Swans, while Kai Lohmann (ankle) and Brandon Starcevich (concussion) have joined him on the sidelines.
The Lions will unfurl their premiership flag at the Gabba before play, two weeks late after their season-opener against Geelong was postponed because of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.
West Coast have lost Jake Waterman (calf/back), but regained star forward Liam Ryan (hamstring).
