Brisbane Lions Captain Tom Rockliff, Vice-Captain Dayne Zorko and young gun Harris Andrews met with AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan to celebrate Queensland’s 150-year anniversary of Australian football on the Gold Coast this morning.

Joined by Gold Coast Suns Captain Gary Ablett and his teammates Alex Sexton and Rory Thompson, McLachlan spoke of his excitement ahead of the 2016 premiership season.

“I’m excited to be launching the season and also it’s good to be here with club and academy representatives, men and women as we celebrate 150 years of football in Queensland,” McLachlan told reporters at Burleigh Heads.

“There’s a proud history of football in this state, under Michael Conlan’s last year and Dean’s (Dean Warren) leadership now we’re 20 per cent participation growth.

“Extraordinary growth in women, 31 per cent growth in women’s football, and I know we’re looking to have a team in the national women’s league in 2017 representing one of the clubs and representing Queensland.”

Rockliff is set to return to the Lions’ line-up ahead of Round 1 and said he was prepared to take on the West Coast Eagles in Perth on Sunday.

“I’m ready to go. Obviously I would have liked to play a NAB game, but that’s just the way it is,” Rockliff said.

“Being in the system eight years now, I think my body is up to the challenges and I’m really looking forward to going over to Perth this weekend.

“It’s a really good opportunity for our group to take on West Coast over there and see where we’re at and put our best foot forward for the 2016 season.”

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