Captain Tom Rockliff is confident the Lions are on the right track forward after several off-field changes and three key signings today.
Rockliff joined CEO Greg Swann and young defender Harris Andrews at the launch of the Lions 2016 Membership Campaign – ‘Your Club. Represent.’
“We know how important our members’ are, they’re obviously the fabric of our Football Club,” Rockliff said.
“We had record numbers this year with more than 25,000 members, but we obviously didn’t have the season we would have liked.”
The Lions finished 17th in 2015, but showed promising signs late winning two of its last five games, including an upset eight point win over top eight side the Western Bulldogs. The Club also blooded five debutants during the season.
“You’ve got to go through hard times to make the good times better, this Club’s been there before and done that.
“Moving forward to 2016 we think we’re on the right track.
“We’re really settled off the field – Craig Lambert’s (Player Welfare Manager) been a great signing for the football club.
“There has been some big changes, we obviously lost a couple but we’ve gained a couple as well which is really exciting.”
Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann echoed Rockliff’s sentiments and noted that the path forward for the Lions is in progress.
“It is a members club, that’s our focus now,” said Swann.
“No club can survive without its members, especially in our market here.”
“We’ve got a really good strong core of members, we just need those that have been members before to re-join and give us support.
“And obviously the bigger support we get from them, the more finances and the more things we can do, to make us better.”
Swann also announced the signings of ex-Geelong Cats Jarrad Jansen and Tom Bell at the press conference.
Key forward Josh Walker and young midfielder Jarrad Jansen were traded in exchange for a future third round pick.
“(Josh) Walker’s a key forward and an established player,” said Swann.
“And Jarrad is just a kid who is looking for more opportunities.
“We liked him as an 18-year-old and we followed his progress, so we’re really pleased he’s coming in.”
Carlton’s Tom Bell was also signed to the Lions earlier in the day.
“Bell finished fourth in Carlton’s best and fairest and again, he’s a Queensland boy coming home which is another advantage for us,” said Swann.
“The more locals we can get on our list, the better off we’ll be.”
The three signings on day six of the 2015 AFL Trade Period have been well received by the AFL community in a poll put together on afl.com.au.
