Tyrone Vickery was axed as Richmond coach Damien Hardwick opted to reshape his forward line for Thursday night’s clash with Brisbane.

Hardwick recalled Ricky Petterd, who has recovered from a groin injury, and named the 185cm utility at centre-half forward at the expense of Vickery.

The listless Lions made three changes for the round-five game at the Gabba, which is Jonathan Brown’s 250th AFL match.

Darcy Gardiner will make his AFL debut, former Tiger Luke McGuane is set to play his first game for the Lions and Ryan Lester was also promoted.

Brisbane dropped Ryan Harwood, while Matthew Leuenberger (knee) and Pearce Hanley (leg) were enforced omissions for the battling club.

Vickery kicked eight goals in the opening three rounds of the season, but was well below his best in the Tigers’ 38-point loss to Collingwood last Friday night.

The change will give Jack Riewoldt more room to move.

“We felt last week we were a little bit tall, a little bit cumbersome,” Hardwick said of his side’s forward line against the Magpies.

“It’s still going to be dangerous. We’ve got Dustin Martin who can go through there, Trent Cotchin.”

Vickery was subbed out after collecting two touches in the first half against the Magpies, with his left quad strapped and iced.

Hardwick confirmed the 23-year-old’s omission was based on form.

“It’s nothing to do with injury,” Hardwick said on Wednesday before the team had been announced.

“Ty’s working on his game. He’s probably like the majority of our players at the moment.

“He’s playing at about a six out of 10, like the side is.

“We’ve just got to continue to work with him, get his best football up and going, because he’s a very important player to our side.”