IN: Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Grant Birchall, Callum Ah Chee, picks 52
OUT: Tom Cutler, Lewis Taylor, Picks 46 and 91, Future second and fourth-round selections in 2020
The Brisbane Lions came into the 2019 Telstra AFL Trade Period with several objectives, all of which were achieved.
General Manager of Football David Noble had said his recruitment team were wanting to achieve the following:
1. Strengthen the list by expending the midfield
2. They were on the hunt for a player with speed and good ball use
3. Want to remain active at the draft in November
Cam Ellis-Yolmen was the first movement for the Lions during trade and ticked the box of the first objective. Recruited from Adelaide on the second day of free agency period as an unrestricted free agent, Ellis-Yolmen is a big-bodied midfielder, standing at 191cm. At 26-years-old he also fits the age bracket the Lions are aiming to expand.
Despite only playing 39 games across eight years, Noble believes Ellis-Yolmen is in great shape and ready to take his game further.
“He’s matured as an individual and we believe he is ready to go to the next level in his footballing career,” he said.
“Cam will help bring more physicality to our game as he is strong and holds his ground well.”
On the fourth day of the Trade Period the Lions secured four-time premiership great and free agent Grant Birchall from Hawthorn. Like Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Birchall has suffered injuries in recent years, restricting his time on field, but is ready for a fresh start at Brisbane.
Birchall covered the second objective for the Lions. As a running half back Birchall is fast and smart with his ball use. He has also played on the biggest stage multiple times in his career and is credited as a ‘big game player.’
The following day the Lions entered a pick swap agreement with the West Coast Eagles. They traded Pick No. 46 and 91 in return for Pick No. 52 and 64.
Most of the action came on the final day of the Trade Period.
Lewis Taylor was the first Lions player to be traded to an opposing Club. After six seasons at the Den, Taylor moved to the Sydney Swans for more opportunity.
The Lions received Pick No. 48 in return for Taylor.
The Lions then secured skillful defender Callum Ah Chee from the Gold Coast SUNS after four seasons.
Ah Chee covers the second objective, as he is fast and smart with his ball use in the backline.
The 22 year-old said the wait during trade was excruciating.
“Got to the last day and I was pretty nervous,” he said.
“I was really confident in the Lions to get me across and I’m really happy to be here now.
“I met with Fages, then Nobes, then Dom Ambrogio [List Manager] and they were really welcoming to me.”
The Lions provided the SUNS with a future second and fourth round selection at the 2020 NAB AFL Draft.
Tom Cutler was the final trade for the Lions in 2019. The 24-year-old and Pick No. 64 was traded to Essendon for a future third round selection and Pick No. 72
Following the conclusion of Trade Period the Lions have the following picks at the 2019 NAB AFL Draft: 16, 21, 34, 48, 52, 55, 72.
These picks will allow the Lions to have a solid presence at the upcoming draft, which achieves objective three.
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