The art of recruitment does not rest solely on identifying the best young talent from the U18 and school competitions across the country.??

It is also about finding ready-made players that could improve your list.??The introduction of Free Agency along with the increase in mature-age recruits has meant that an ever bigger focus is now being placed on secondary competitions such as the VFL, SANFL and WAFL.??There is also a greater emphasis on analysing players from opposition AFL clubs. 

Pro Scout Andrew Farrell is entrusted with this key role at the Brisbane Lions, and is constantly on the look-out for any talent that could potentially fulfil a role immediately.??

“We have identified particular need and formulate lists accordingly,” Farrell told lions.com.au. ??

“We generally watch games holistically to begin with, then formulate a target specific ‘watch list’ mainly based on specific needs. Saying that, your needs can change throughout the year so you need to re-adapt accordingly.”

??While key position forwards, key position defenders and midfielders would be high on most clubs’ ‘watch lists’, the Lions boast a wealth of options in other areas.

??“We’ve got a pretty good mix of young general defenders who use the footy well – guys like Sam Docherty, Mitch Golby, Elliot Yeo and even Ryan Lester,” Farrell said.??

“We’re also well-stocked in ruck department with Matthew Leuenberger, Billy Longer, Stefan Martin and Sam Michael developing.”??

At the end of last year, the Lions identified a need to bolster midfield clearances along with their key position depth, and recruited Melbourne pair Brent Moloney and Stefan Martin accordingly. ??Moloney has since proven to be one of the Lions’ most consistent players this season and leads the team in total clearances, while Martin showed promise before he was grounded by an ankle injury in Round 4. ??Dayne Zorko (NEAFL) and Rohan Bewick (WAFL) have also proven handy mature-age pick-ups from State League competitions in recent years. ??

“We have scouts around the country, so I focus primarily on watching VFL/AFL matches because I’m based in Melbourne,” Farrell said. ?

?“I look closely at all non-listed AFL players in the State Leagues, but also analyse every AFL club and formulate who I believe are that club’s best 22 players.??

“It gives us an idea of where certain players sit in their pecking order. In particular, I’m looking at their 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th best player and seeing whether they might have any value for us. I try and ascertain why they are not regular members of their teams best 22.”