Brisbane Lions rising stars Tom Rockliff and Jesse O’Brien have signalled their commitment to the Club by becoming the latest in a growing list of players to extend their contracts.
Rockliff, whose existing contract doesn’t expire until the end of 2012, has signed on for an additional two seasons, while O’Brien has also agreed to a new two-year contract.
This is further good news for the Club’s future following last month’s key signings of Matthew Leuenberger, Daniel Rich, Patrick Karnezis, Jared Polec and Ryan Harwood.
Rockliff, 21, was added to the Lions’ Leadership Group at the beginning of 2011 and has emerged as one of the competition’s most promising young midfielders.
He has averaged close to 28 disposals per game in his 17 senior matches this season including back-to-back career-highs of 34 possessions over the past two weeks against Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
“The Brisbane Lions is a great footy Club with really good values and high standards, and we’ve got a big opportunity in the next three or four years,” Rockliff said.
“Playing under Vossy has been fantastic - he’s a great leader and coach and really communicates well with the group.”
“While 2011 hasn’t been ideal in terms of win-loss, this group has an enormous amount of potential and with the next pre-season we will really move forward.”
O’Brien, 20, has played 13 senior matches in just his second AFL season, before an untimely leg injury prematurely ended his 2011 campaign.
The North Adelaide recruit presents another exciting prospect for the Club.
“I’m thrilled to be re-signing with the Club - this place has a great group of people involved,” O’Brien said.
“The Lions have a strong positive culture and we are totally committed to success in the coming years, and I think that with our current list and staff we are absolutely on our way.”
“I grew up watching guys like Browny, Blacky and Vossy, so to be coached and mentored by these guys - I feel really lucky.”
Lions General Manager - Football Operations Dean Warren said the latest signings proved another significant step towards maintaining the Club’s young talent.
“The re-signing of Tom and Jesse is terrific news for the Brisbane Lions and all its stakeholders,” Warren said.
“We have a very clear direction of where we are heading as a Club and our core group of young players will obviously play a significant role in helping us get there.”
“While it’s disappointing to be currently sitting at the wrong end of the AFL ladder, there is a genuine excitement and enthusiasm among our players, coaches and fans about what our future holds.”
