It was the day Ben Keays had waited for.
The 18-year-old will play for the Club he has supported since childhood after the Brisbane Lions matched the Western Bulldogs' bid on the young midfielder at Tuesday night’s National Draft in Adelaide.
Keays moved from Melbourne to Brisbane as a five-year-old in 2002 and grew up as a Lions supporter. He singled out former Lion and now midfield coach, Simon Black, as an idol growing up and will now work alongside his premiership hero.
“I’ve supported the Club for as long as I can remember and always watched Blacky throughout the premiership days and beyond,” Keays said.
“Getting to work with him is going to be amazing. Hopefully he’s got a thing or two he can teach me. I just can’t wait.”
Brisbane showed a commitment to nurturing local talent after selecting Keays and his Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy teammate Eric Hipwood.
“With the Academy program, having met most of the coaches, knowing most of the players – hopefully that transition is very easy.
“That’s the joy of the Academy, I guess, and I’m sure Josh (Josh Schache) will fit right in aswell. He’s a great fella. Eric and I have got to know him through the National Academy.
“I can’t wait to get back to Brisbane and get started.”
