For a number of years, the Brisbane Lions have been searching for someone to replace Jonathan Brown as the team’s focal point up forward.

And as much as Brown is irreplaceable, the champion centre half-forward’s retirement midway through last season left the door ajar for one of his younger teammates to make that key forward position his own.

That responsibility was largely shared between veteran swingman Daniel Merrett, and developing prospects Michael Close and Jonathan Freeman towards the back end of the 2014 season.

But with Merrett recently hinting at a return to defence in 2015, Close and Freeman seem to have emerged as early front-runners for that particular role.

Both are still just 20 years of age, and had a brief taste of senior AFL action in 2014.

Close probably has more runs on the board considering he’s played 14 matches and booted 10 goals, although Freeman’s return of six goals from four games last season will have him firmly in the frame.

The competition for key forward positions is not limited to the talented pair either, with the imminent return of both Brent Staker and Luke McGuane from injury, coupled with Jackson Paine’s continued development, ensuring competition for spots will be fierce.

That’s not to mention Daniel McStay, who had some successful stints up forward in 2014, and Academy draftee Harris Andrews as other possible options.

Freeman, who is approaching his first injury-free pre-season, knows he will need to work hard over summer to earn his place in the team.

“Last year I came into the pre-season off osteitis pubis, so I was a bit underdone. This off-season I was injury-free, so I was able to get a few kms in the legs and get myself in good shape for the pre-season,” Freeman told Lions TV.

“(The competition for spots) will definitely ramp up towards January or February, when we’re all eyeing off a few spots. It’s definitely healthy and will improve us as players.”

Meanwhile, Close has identified a need to add more size to his frame so that he can better compete with opposition key defenders.

“I’m coming up against blokes that are 3-4kg heavier than me each week, so I need to get my weight up so that I can match them,” Close told Lions TV.

“Leppa and the coaching staff want me to use my endurance strengths to get off my opponent.”

Both Close and Freeman also get the added bonus of continuing to learning from Brown, who will remain with the Club in a part-time capacity to work with the forwards.

“He’ll be in here 1-2 days a week working with the young forwards,” Close said.

“It was great having him around last year, just doing little stuff with him after training that will make me a better player.”