Former St Kilda defender, Darragh Joyce, has joined the Brisbane Lions for the 2023 season, with the Irishman signing a one-year deal.
Joyce comes to Brisbane after six years with the Saints, having played 13 games of AFL over his career, including three last year.
Brisbane Lions General Manager Football, Danny Daly, said it was great to welcome Joyce to the Den.
“We’re really pleased to have Darragh on board to help bolster our defence,” he said.
“We’ve been watching his journey over the past few years, and we feel confident he can play a role in our team.
“We see Darragh as a great fit for our Club given his toughness around the contest, and he comes to us with some valuable experience from having been in the AFL system over the past six years.”
Joyce joined St Kilda as a Category B rookie in 2016 and made his AFL debut in 2018.
He started training at Brighton Homes Arena with the squad last Wednesday before inking his signature earlier today.
“I wanted the opportunity to play AFL football again. I had contemplated moving home this year and I did head home (in Ireland) for September and October, and then when I came back I just realised I love it down here (in Australia) and I have an itch to play,” Joyce said.
“I’m absolutely stoked to be at the Brisbane Lions, the facilities are so great and it’s great to have the Irish connection with my good friend Conor (McKenna) and also Jimmy (Madden).”
Despite being from opposite ends of Ireland; Joyce from County Kilkenny in the south and McKenna from County Tyronne in the north, the pair have been good friends since Joyce first touched down down under in 2016.
“We didn’t know each other until we came down here (to Australia), we met when I first arrived to Melbourne as Conor was already there and established so he took me under his wing and showed me the ropes,” he said.
“Irish lads who come to Australia to play AFL football – we look out for each other.
“I’ve just moved in with him and his girlfriend now while I find a place of my own and he’s looking after me well so far!"
Joyce admits the Queensland heat will take some getting used to, but since receiving the invitation to train at the Den, he’d been trying to acclimatise.
“It’s muggier here than Melbourne. But Melbourne had really hot weather the past two weeks before I got here so I was trying to do my running in the hottest part of the day to get me prepared for the move to Brisbane,” he said.
“Like any Irish fella, the key is to always screen up and you’re good to go!”
Joyce comes to the Brisbane Lions on a one-year contract during the AFL’s pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP).
The spot on Brisbane’s books became available with Marcus Adams placed on the inactive list last week.
