Brisbane Lions utility Brent Staker named for first game since late 2011 The Brisbane Lions have named Brent Staker for his first match in more than a year. BRISBANE coach Michael Voss says comeback king Brent Staker will make the Lions a far more dangerous proposition for Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Staker will make his first senior appearance since Round 23, 2011 when Brisbane face the second-placed Bombers after suffering two knee reconstructions. The 28-year-old has been named on Brisbane's interchange bench after getting through three matches in the NEAFL. While not expecting miracles from the former West Coast Eagles utility, Voss said Staker gave Brisbane some X-factor. "The modern game demands having players like Stakes who can go forward or back and we will certainly be tapping into that, no doubt," he said. Stakes enables us to be far more flexible as a footy team. It's not just about what he is able to do, having him back and able to play a variety of roles frees up other players to perform different jobs which gives us flexibility and a little bit of unpredictability. Voss said there was never any doubt about Staker being physically ready to resume his top-level football career. After completing most of the pre-season, the only hurdle that remained was pushing through the mental barrier of trusting that his knee was right. He's feeling quite confident about it all so there's no point holding him back. It's time to push the button," Voss said. He's been very diligent with his rehab, done all his training and played a handful of matches for the reserves. The last step is having the belief to pull the trigger. We've been very patient with him and we don't expect him to pick up where he left off, but there's no doubt he makes us a better footy team. Staker comes into the senior side at the expense of housemate Josh Green, who was omitted in the only change to the team that lost to West Coast by 26 points at the Gabba last Saturday. Meanwhile, Gold Coast utility Jared Brennan has been cleared to play against the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium tomorrow night despite being knocked out in last Sunday's historic win over Melbourne at the MCG. Brennan was carried from the field after being elbowed in the head by Demons midfielder Colin Sylvia, but has passed a battery of tests under the watchful eyes of club medical staff this week to be included in the Gold Coast line-up. Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said Brennan still had to get through training today, but the club was confident he would be passed fit. We are pretty optimistic about Jared. He's been given the all-clear up to this stage," he said. He's been monitored and tested by our doctors all week and all the results point to him being right to play. Defender Tom Murphy was also knocked out during the win over Melbourne, but has not recovered sufficiently to be named. Utility Luke Russell has taken Murphy's place in the only change to the Gold Coast side that thrashed the Demons by 60 points.