Lions.com.au wraps up week one of the 2016 AFL Trade Period.
First trade
The Lions waited until Thursday to make their first trade of the 2016 NAB AFL Trade period, swapping pick no. 2, 31, 51 & 60 for picks no. 3 and 16 with the GWS GIANTS.
This continues the Lions’ build of an arsenal of early Draft picks, with the Club now in possession of four picks inside the first 21 – picks no. 3, 16, 19 and 21.
“We shifted some picks forward which is really important in a really strong draft,” said Brisbane Lions Football Manager David Noble told lions.com.au.
Next week
Noble said the Club will look to maximise its draft position ahead of the National Draft in November.
“The first couple of parts of our strategy for both trade and draft have come together really well. We think we’re really well positioned inside of pick 21. We’re really comfortable with our position knowing we’ve still got two or three things up our sleeve to try to complete going into next week’s last trade days.”
Update on Hanley
Pearce Hanley is set to join the Gold Coast SUNS with the Lions open to a trade if the deal is deemed sufficient.
“We’re confident we’ll be able to get a deal that works in the Club’s favour come next week,” said Noble.
“He’s (Hanley) obviously made it clear that he wants to go to Gold Coast – we just have to make sure that we maximise the value of that (deal) going forward.”
27-year-old Hanley has played 129 games over nine seasons with the Brisbane Lions.
Rockliff’s future
On Wednesday, Football General Manager David Noble and Senior Coach Chris Fagan met with the Club’s Captain Tom Rockliff and his manager Tom Petroro.
Rockliff who is contracted with the Lions has been linked to trades with several clubs including Collingwood and Adelaide
Fagan & Noble meet with Rockliff
“It was the first chance we've had to catch up together and have some good dialogue," said Noble.
“It was an opportunity to talk and we had a wide-ranging conversation – Tom wanted to find out about our thoughts on the Club and we wanted to get his ideas.”
Gardiner yet to sign
Darcy Gardiner is yet to sign a contract with the Lions. The 21-year-old is due to come out of contract at season's end but Noble is confident Gardiner will sign in the coming days.
“We’re pretty confident that looks likely to get done. We’ve had some negotiations with his management group and we believe we’re both reasonably well positioned place with his contract. We’re quite comfortable where that is at.”
Frost a Lion
Schwab confirmed on Thursday that Collingwood's Jack Frost would join the Lions, with a deal still to be finalised.
The 195cm backman, who has played 54 games for the Magpies after coming off the rookie list in 2013, fell out of favour this season and didn't play senior football after round 12.
He finished the season in the VFL before suffering an ankle injury that ruled him out of the VFL Magpies’ preliminary final loss.
Frost is expected to slot straight into the Lions’ defence following the retirement of veteran Daniel Merrett and Justin Clarke due to on-going concussion symptoms.
Frost looks set to become a Lion. (Photo: AFL Media)
