With AFL Trade Period soon to get underway (it begins Monday), lions.com.au looks back at a collection of the best Lions’ trades of the past ten years.
2014
The 2014 Trade Period was a successful one for the Lions. Through it they acquired two premiership players in Beams and Christensen, as well as Blue Mitch Robinson. The three players provided the young Brisbane side with much needed experience.
Dayne Beams and draft selection 67 (Josh Watts)
from Collingwood for Jack Crisp, draft selection 5 (Jordan De Goey) and draft selection 25 (Daniel Nielson)
At the end of the 2014 season, Beams sought a trade to Queensland in order to be closer to his family, naming Brisbane as his Club of choice (in order to play alongside brother Claye). Beams was traded to the Lions (from Collingwood) in exchange for pick 5 and Jack Crisp. A former Copeland Trophy winner (2012) and Collingwood premiership player (2010), Beams was outstanding for the Lions during his 16 matches before season-ending shoulder surgery. He averaged 28 disposals (13 contested) and 6.5 clearances despite playing in a midfield often missing some of its best players through injury.
Allen Christensen
from Geelong for draft selection 21 (Hugh Goddard) - draft pick received by Lions from GWS in exchange for Joel Patfull
Christensen requested a trade to the Lions during the 2014 AFL Trade Period. As a member of Geelong's 2011 AFL Premiership Team in his first AFL season, Christensen ticked the right boxes for the Lions in both youth (24 years-old) and experience (65 games at the Cats). He averaged 20 disposals and a goal a game in his first season at the Lions, recording a season high 31 possessions in Round 10 against GWS. He was rewarded for his strong season when he was recognised as runner-up in this year’s Merrett-Murray Medal.
Mitch Robinson
signed as a delisted free agent from Carlton
Delisted Blue Mitch Robinson proved to be excellent pick up, going on to become a joint winner of the Lions’ Best and Fairest. Robinson played 100 games and kicked 58 goals for Carlton before being picked up by Brisbane as a delisted free agent during the 2014 Free Agency Period. The 26-year-old played half-forward and midfield for the Lions in 2015 and led the way with his fearless attack. For his 21 games this season he averaged 20.8 disposals and 6.76 tackles.
2012
Stefan Martin
from Melbourne for draft selection 52 (Matt Jones) and 71 (Daniel Nicholson)
At the end of the 2012 season, the Lions approached Melbourne in a bid to secure ruckman Stefan Martin’s services. A trade was ultimately struck which saw Martin pack his bags for Brisbane in exchange for Picks 52 (Matt Jones) & 71 (Daniel Nicholson). For Martin, 2013 was a year of frustration in which he was limited to just five senior games with his new Club due to injury. However he took the reins as sole ruckman when Matthew Leuenberger went down with injury in 2014 and has since excelled, earning praise as one of the competition’s best big men over the past 12 months. Martin averaged 32.5 hit outs and 21 disposals from 20 matches in 2015.
2011
Dayne Zorko and draft selection 47 (Patrick Wearden)
from the Gold Coast Suns for draft selection 34 (Shane Kersten) and draft selection 52 (Josh Tynan)
A quick and gutsy midfielder, Dayne Zorko dominated the local Queensland competition for a number of years before getting his chance at an AFL career. Zorko was eventually snapped up by the Gold Coast SUNS as a Queensland Priority Selection, before being on-traded to the Brisbane Lions in exchange for Pick No.34 in the 2011 AFL National Draft. Fleet-footed Zorko claimed his first Merrett-Murray Medal this season (he was runner-up in 2014), averaging a career-best 22.95 disposals per game, including a season high 38-disposals against Adelaide in Round 21.
2008
Round 6 draft selection (Tom Rockliff - Pre-Season Draft)
from Collingwood for Anthony Corrie
After being initially overlooked by AFL recruiters as a junior, Tom Rockliff has proven to be one of the Lions' greatest success stories in recent times. Rockliff has established himself as one of the league’s elite midfielders, earning the respect of his opponents and the game’s greats for his skill and leadership. Rockliff’s rise to the top (he was named captain of the Brisbane Lions in 2015) has been remarkable: after receiving a Rising Star nomination in 2010 he went on to win the Lions’ Best and Fairest Award twice (in 2011 and 2014) and was named in the AFL’s All-Australian team for 2014.
Other trade gems:
Received as draft picks as part of the Lions’ ‘Go Home Five’ trades, youngsters Lewis Taylor, Tom Cutler, Nick Robertson, Darcy Gardiner and Daniel McStay have proven to be valuable pick-ups for the Club.
2013
Draft selection 28 (Lewis Taylor)
from West Coast for Elliot Yeo
The Lions couldn't believe their luck when Taylor was still available with their fourth selection (Pick No.28) overall in the 2013 Draft, so had no hesitation in calling out his name. Taylor played every game in his first season at the Lions. His year was capped off when he was awarded the NAB Rising Star in one of the closest counts in recent years. As the reigning Rising Star, Lewy Taylor carried a great weight of expectation on his young shoulders in 2015. Rather than disappoint, the Victorian had a second terrific season, playing every game in 2015, he had 32 disposals against St Kilda and was one of the Lions’ best in their win over the Western Bulldogs, kicking three goals and collecting 28 possessions.
Draft selection 22 (Darcy Gardiner), 34 (Nick Robertson), and 48 (on-traded)
from Port Adelaide/GWS for Jared Polec (PA), draft selection 29 (GWS) and 45 (PA)
In 2013, with newly appointed Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch desperate to address the Lions' aging backline, it was no surprise to hear Gardiner's name read out with the Club's second selection (Pick No.22 overall). Gardiner was also nominated for a Rising Star Nomination in his first year, however spent much of 2015 on the sideline with injury.
Robertson’s absence at the Championships due to a shoulder injury resulted in him slipping through the Draft, until the Lions read his name out - Pick No.34 overall. The West Australian made a strong impression in his second season at The Gabba, despite missing a series of gam;es through injury (Robertson returned to the NEAFL after Round 18 and suffered a season-ending hamstring injury). He has become a firm fan favourite as a result of his hard-playing style and commitment to the game, playing both half-back and as a capable midfielder.
Draft selection 25 (Daniel McStay) and 41 (on-traded)
from St Kilda in exchange for Billy Longer and draft selection 48
McStay attracted plenty of interest from AFL clubs, but eventually landed in Brisbane with Pick No. 25 overall at the 2013 AFL National Draft. Playing much of his first season in the NEAFL, McStay made his debut in Round 15, 2014 against North Melbourne. McStay’s second season was characterised by steady development and a handful of standout performances: the 20-year-old had two 3 goal hauls and a career best four goals in Round Six against Carlton. He missed two matches with a finger injury, and struggled for consistency at times, as he shifted between playing forward and back as Coach Justin Leppitsch experimented as the Lions struggled with injuries. McStay holds plenty of promise for Lions fans, with his strong marking hands and big-bodied presence.
Draft selection 33 (Tom Cutler)
from Carlton for Sam Docherty
Despite missing most of 2013 with an ankle injury, Cutler remained a hot prospect among recruiters, with the Lions ultimately taking him with Pick No.33 at the 2013 AFL National Draft. In his first year at the Lions (2014) Cutler played seven games, but made big strides in his development in 2015, often being used for his run off half-back, as well as for his speed through the wing and midfield. He gathered a career-high 32 disposals against West Coast in Round 4, and had 28 touches against the Bulldogs late in the season. The 20 year-old will be looking to secure his place in the Lions’ line-up in 2016.
