Brisbane ruckman Jamie Charman has been axed from the Lions side to play Sydney at the Gabba on Saturday night.

In a surprise move, Charman has been replaced by defender Jason Roe in the only change to the Lions team which lost to Carlton by 19 points in round two.

Roe will play his first match of the season after coach Michael Voss opted to stiffen up his defence against the Swans.

Utility Mitch Clark is likely to be used as a pinching ruckman to support Matthew Leuenberger.

The young Leuenberger faces a tough test against Sydney veteran Darren Jolly but has impressed to date as the No.1 big man due to Charman's disrupted pre-season.

The Lions are looking to end a five-year drought against their bogie team with their last win coming over Sydney in round one in 2004.

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