With recruits Lachie Neale, Lincoln McCarthy and Jarryd Lyons coming in, Brisbane are tipped by many to be 2019's big improvers.

Whether that improvement can stretch to a win over the reigning premiers straight away is dubious, but young gun Cam Rayner is eager to face the Eagles.

"All the boys are super excited, we get to measure ourselves against the competition's best in the first round," Rayner said.

"It'll be a really good stepping stone for the rest of our season."

Darcy Gardiner's return from a knee injury will boost the Lions' backline, while the Eagles head east without forwards Josh Kennedy and Willie Rioli.

Ex-St Kilda ruckman Tom Hickey and defender Brad Sheppard are among six Eagles faces who didn't play in last year's grand final win over Collingwood.

"Their forward line is still looking pretty good," Rayner said.

"They've got a couple of young boys in there now, (Jack) Petruccelle is playing and Oscar Allen as well.

"It's good to have Darcy back. He's such a trustworthy player down back."

The Eagles hold a great recent record against the Lions, winning the past eight games between the clubs in a streak stretching back to 2012.

Captain Dayne Zorko, veteran Daniel Rich and Ryan Lester are the only Lions remaining at the club who were a part of that 2012 win.

"They've been the best team in the competition in contested ball and their spread is really good," Rayner said.

"We watched vision from last time we played but we've got new players and a new team. We've been sticking to our structures this year so we're just going to go out there and play our footy and see how it matches up against the best."

Australian Associated Press