Local Queensland talent and experienced hands were front of mind during the Brisbane Lions search for VFL recruits ahead of the 2022 season.
With final VFL signings yet to be announced, VFL Head Coach Mitch Hahn said that the Club wanted to keep the emphasis on creating a home for emerging local talent.
“When we were looking at adding to our list this year, a big focus of ours was providing opportunity for strong Queensland talent,” Hahn said.
“We know Queensland, and particularly Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, are really football rich regions and are producing strong football talent through programs like our Brisbane Lions Academy, including the likes of Eric Hipwood and Harris Andrews.
“We want to continue to make sure that we’re bringing in the best Queensland talent that we can and fostering the development of players in our home state.”
2022 VFL COMPETITION UPDATE
A second consecutive COVID-19 impacted season filled with plenty of challenges of its own saw the young side struggling to find momentum and rhythm to get their season up and firing.
Hahn hopes the addition of a few more experienced hands will not only help develop the young side, but will also provide a steadiness and consistency to their season.
“We’ve also looked to build a bit of maturity into the side this season, and recruits like Wylie Buzza will help us inject a bit more experience into what has been quite a young team.
“Last year saw us face our fair share of challenges, and we know that having a few players with a bit more of that AFL knowledge and football experience, like Wylie, will really be an asset to the group when it comes to finding that consistency in our season.
“They’ll also play a big role in helping our young group continue to develop as we move through the 2022 season.”
The Lions recently announced Wylie Buzza as the Club’s first VFL signing for the 2022 season.
The former Geelong and Port Adelaide recruit will return to his Queensland roots when he joins the Lions in 2022, with the Academy product looking to make an impact on the young VFL side and his own football career.
The Lions will announce further VFL list signings in coming weeks.
