Although the trade deadline isn’t until 2pm (Melbourne time) on Thursday, Talent Acquisition and Retention Manager Peter Schwab all but ruled out the Club being part of any more deals.
Instead, the Lions’ focus is now fixed firmly on next month’s NAB AFL Draft – even though the Club won’t be active until late in the meeting considering their first four selections have either been traded away or committed to be used on Academy players.
But the net return for the Lions overall has been worthwhile.
In the past few days, the Club has welcomed two elite midfielders in Dayne Beams and Allen Christensen, who not only have premiership experience but are also about to entire the prime of their playing careers.
Schwab said the Lions had been more willing to trade out their early draft picks for experienced bodies considering their success at last year’s Draft, when the Club welcomed a collection of quality teenagers in James Aish, Darcy Gardiner, Daniel McStay, Lewy Taylor, Tom Cutler, Nick Robertson, and Jono Freeman.
“We were delighted with the players we got last year…so to add two players of the ilk of Christensen and Beams is great for the footy club,” Schwab said.
“I think in footy things can change dramatically. 12 months. We like to think that there are good things in place at Brisbane, and Justin (Leppitsch) has done a great job as coach. People see it as a good destination.”
The acquisition of Beams capped off a hugely successful trade period on Wednesday, with the deal helping open the floodgates for more trade activity later that afternoon.
“It wasn’t an easy one. It took a bit of to-ing and fro-ing,” Schwab said.
“From Collingwood’s point of view, they wanted to get the best outcome they could for an outstanding player.
“I think in negotiations you have to have a win/win. In the end, we’re really happy that we’ve got Dayne coming to Brisbane, and I hope they’re (Collingwood) happy, although I can’t speak for them.
“There were times when you think that it might not happen. But I think if a player wants to move, generally a trade gets done. We hung onto the hope that we could come to the party for Collingwood.”
