General Manager of Football David Noble joined the Roar Deal with Dom and Josie this week to talk about the Lions movements in the 2019 Trade Period.
So far the Club has signed two free agents – Cam Ellis-Yolmen from Adelaide and four-time premiership Hawthorn player Grant Birchall.
Although people have drawn parallels between Luke Hodge and Birchall, both being successful players from Hawthorn, Noble clarified that Birchall’s selection came down to fulfilling a need at the Lions, rather than coming in to act in a leadership role.
“It was more about our needs,” Noble said.
“If you look back a couple of years ago, we probably felt we needed a bit of experience on field in terms of Luke.
“This is a bit more about a raw need in a running, half back role.
“His ability to step up in big games was something that attracted our attention.”
Noble said the Club were satisfied with the results of Birchall’s medical, after the defender missed a lot of football over three years due to various injuries.
“They all stemmed off his PCL a couple of years ago,” he said.
“We feel like we can get him up and running and take some time with him.
“Currently he’s in good shape and he doesn’t need any surgery.”
Noble has known 26-year-old Ellis-Yolmen for a number of years, having worked with him at the Adelaide Crows, when he was General Manager of Football there.
He believes the big-bodied midfielder has come leaps and bounds in his maturity on and off the field.
“He’s had a lot of talent for a long period of time and I think now he’s realised what the game means to him,” he said.
“He saw us a great fit to maximise that talent that he’s got.”
Both players are expected to arrive in Brisbane in November.
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