The Brisbane Lions made their first trade of the 2016 NAB AFL Trade period today, swapping pick no. 2, 31, 51 & 60 for picks no. 3 and 16 with the GWS GIANTS.
This continues the Lions’ build of an arsenal of early Draft picks, with the Club now in possession of four picks inside the first 21.
“We want to add talent to our list and build a team that can win our next Premiership,” said List Manager Peter Schwab.
“This trade means we can still secure the young player we want with our first pick, but we get the added benefit of then having picks 16, 19 and 21 – all really early in a Draft that has plenty of talent we’ve identified to suit our needs.
“It’s important for our fans to realise that our strategy is very much based on the result of Trade and Draft Periods combined.
Speaking on NAB AFL Trade Radio today, Schwab was asked about yesterday’s meeting between Senior Coach Chris Fagan, General Manager of Football David Noble, Tom Rockliff and his manager. Schwab emphasised that he is a second-hand source, but said: “By all accounts it went well.”
"David and Chris basically spoke to Tommy about what they'd heard and what had been done in the last 12 months in regards to Tom, and Tom had an opportunity, not to defend himself, but to say whether that did or did not (happen), (and) what he thought about the footy club," Schwab said.
"Because Tom's been a captain and a great player for the Brisbane Lions – he's been there a long time – he was forthcoming in saying where he thought the footy club was at, and I guess Chris and David were saying, 'Well, this is where we want to take it'."
Schwab said Hanley, 27, was likely to join the Gold Coast after the Suns complete deals to trade out pair Jaeger O'Meara and Dion Prestia.
"We're happy to look at it, so I'm sure something will probably happen in that space," he said.
He confirmed that Collingwood's Jack Frost would join the Lions, with a deal still to be finalised.
Darcy Gardiner is likely to re-sign soon, while small forward Josh Green is yet to be offered a contract with the Lions.
"Currently Josh is uncontracted, so that's probably where he sits. At the end of the trade period we'll have to make a decision on that," Schwab said.
