The Lions are hoping history repeats when they return to the draft with multiple first round picks for the first time since 2017.
It was a bumper crop for the Lions that year with Cam Rayner the number one pick while Zac Bailey (15) and Brandon Starcevich (18) both fell in the first round.
At this stage the Lions hold picks 14 and 18 for opening night of the draft on November 24 and are back in the draft with selection 41 on the second evening.
It is widely expected that father son bids will come from Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs on Josh Daicos and Sam Darcy which would push the Lions’ first two picks to 16 and 20.
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With no picks in the teens to work with for the past three drafts, National Recruiting Manager Stephen Conole finds himself in the thick of the action with Fremantle and Richmond the other clubs holding onto multiple picks.
However, CEO Greg Swann said there had been some light natured ribbing around expectations.
“I probably put a bit more pressure on him than I should have when I said last time you had two picks around that region it was Zac Bailey and Brandon Starcevich so we’ve got to get the same,’’ he said.
“But he’s good, he and the team have got a really good record.
“He’s confident there is some good talent there and we will get a couple of good players, well we’ll get three good payers really because we have another pick later on, but certainly with those first two we expect to get some good players.’’
Swann sits on the list management committee alongside Chairman Andrew Wellington, Senior Coach Chris Fagan, General Manager of Football Danny Daly, List Manager Dom Ambrogio and Conole.
He said although he was kept informed of the youngsters the Lions’ were scouting, the ultimate call always fell with the recruiting team.
“It is Steve and Dom’s time to shine but there is input from Fages and Danny,’’ he said.
“They occasionally will send me a clip of somebody, but my theory is there is no point me watching a two or three minute highlight reel and having a say, when they have been watching the kids since they were 14 years old.
“The highlight reels are pretty good, they all look like good players.
“But there is a whole lot of other stuff that goes into it with the interviews with parents and teachers and old coaches and things on top of just how they play.
“There’s a lot of background info that gets checked, it is a science now. They don’t guess anymore so when you just see a two-minute highlight reel you’re only getting some of the picture.’’
With the retirements of Grant Birchall and senior players such as captain Dayne Zorko, Mitch Robinson and All Australian Daniel Rich now in their thirties, there will be vacancies in Fagan’s side over the coming season.
However, Swann said the Club would enter the draft with a firm policy of taking the best player available at each of their selections.
“Our theory is we will trade for need and we pick the best players as they come along,’’ he said.
“We don’t use the draft to plug gaps.
“Steve, Leon and Dom have rated them all and we’ll pick them off as the go, so whether it’s a mid, a back a forward or a tall, whatever it is we have a list and when it comes to our turn we will pick the best player.
“We’re just looking to get some talent in.’’
