Zac O'Brien Biography

Delisted Lion Zac O'Brien hopes a career-high fitness base and the removal of the substitute in 2016 sees him earn a second chance.

Despite winning the Lions' reserves best and fairest and playing eight AFL games in 2015, he admits he was "a little shocked" when told he was to be cut.

"Fitness has never been an issue for me at AFL level, I've trained with guys like Dayne (Beams) and Tom (Rockliff) day in day out and been able to compete," O'Brien said.

"I’m just hungry to get a second chance whether that's in the rookie or pre-season draft.

"I think my two year's experience in the competition puts me in front of others looking for that opportunity and hope a club sees that as an advantage.

"I've built up that mental strength of preparing for games for two years in and out of the side."

The Brisbane Lions delist midfielder Zac O'Brien after 13 games in two seasons at the club.

Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch has apologised to midfielder Zac O'Brien for his "inappropriate" actions during an altercation at half-time of a NEAFL game.

Leppitsch grabbed O'Brien by his jumper and yelled at him after the player swore at Lions reserves coach Shane Woewodin during the first half of the game at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

The Lions coach conceded he should have reacted differently to O'Brien's outburst.

"What's happened is a couple of really passionate people have crossed the line and I've apologised to Zac," Leppitsch said in a statement.

"I've yelled at him a little bit and grabbed his shirt, and that was inappropriate. It's not something that I'm proud of.

"It was two passionate people in the heat of the moment. We've nipped it in the bud and everything is OK now."

Zac O'Brien has been upgraded to the Brisbane Lions' senior list to cover injured skipper Tom Rockliff.

Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said that after a strong pre-season the 24-year-old would have been in line to play in round one had he been available.

"He has been unlucky, being a rookie probably kept him out of the side while we went with players we knew we could use," Leppitsch told News Limited.

"But he is available now and is a strong chance to play this week."

Zac O'Brien waited a long time to make his AFL debut, and after helping the Brisbane Lions to an upset win over Carlton, the workaholic midfielder doesn't plan on giving up his spot.

O'Brien was used as a substitute in Saturday night's seven-point win at the Gabba, but after the second-quarter injury to ruckman Trent West, was thrust into the action sooner than expected.

After a nervous beginning, the 23-year-old thrived, finishing with 15 disposals and the all-important go-ahead goal late in the fourth quarter.

"My goal is to play every game for the rest of the season and hopefully win as many games as we can," O'Brien said after the win.

"If you have to work harder for it … I think it's sweeter.

"I'm 23 now and played 10 games in the NEAFL and got my confidence there and came into the game today thinking I could play my role, and I think I've done that."

Zac O'Brien makes his AFL debut for Brisbane at the Gabba with 15 disposals (9 kicks and 6 handballs), 2 marks, 2 tackles and a goal in a 7-point win over Carlton.