The Brisbane Lions have welcomed three new players and a raft of quality draft selections via the AFL Trade Period which officially closed at 2pm today.

The Lions acquired premiership ruckman Trent West from Geelong, promising key forward Jackson Paine from Collingwood, and will head into next month’s AFL National Draft with a Club-record six selections inside the first two rounds – Picks 7, 22, 25, 28, 33 and 34.  

The Lions are also committed to selecting 198cm power forward Jonathan Freeman with Pick No.63 at next month’s Draft, after successfully bidding on the Hyundai Lions Academy teenager at the beginning of the Trade Period.

A full rundown of the Lions’ 2013 trade activity is listed below:

• Lions trade Sam Docherty to Carlton in exchange for the Blues’ second round selection (Pick No.33 overall) at the AFL National Draft
FULL DETAILS

• Lions trade Elliot Yeo to West Coast in exchange for the Eagles’ second round selection (Pick No.28 overall) at the AFL National Draft
FULL DETAILS

• In complicated three-way deal, Lions trade Jared Polec (to Port Adelaide), Pick No.29 (to GWS Giants) and Pick No.45 (to Port Adelaide), in exchange for Pick No.22 (from GWS Giants), Pick No.34 (from Port Adelaide), and Pick No.48 (from GWS Giants)
FULL DETAILS

• Lions trade Patrick Karnezis to Collingwood in exchange for Jackson Paine
FULL DETAILS

• Lions trade Billy Longer and Pick No.48 to St Kilda in exchange for the Saints’ second round (Pick No.25 overall) and third round (Pick No.41 overall) selections at the AFL National Draft
FULL DETAILS

• Lions trade third round selection (Pick No.41 overall) at the AFL National Draft to Geelong for Trent West
FULL DETAILS

The Lions traded five listed players during the exchange period – Sam Docherty (Carlton), Elliot Yeo (West Coast), Billy Longer (St Kilda), Patrick Karnezis (Collingwood) and Jared Polec (Port Adelaide).

Lions National Talent Manager Rob Kerr said the Club was disappointed to lose each of the five departing players, but can now focus on preparing for 2014.

“Those players expressed a desire to head home, and although we made serious attempts to retain each of them, but were ultimately unsuccessful,” Kerr said.

“But we now move forward with some exciting new additions who want to be part of our group and a wealth of draft selections that we believe will net us some quality players next month.”

The Lions have also informed key forward Aaron Cornelius that he will not be offered a contract extension with the Club beyond 2013.

Cornelius departs the Lions after five seasons with the Club, during which he played 25 senior games and kicked 35 goals.

The 23-year-old from Tasmania managed just three senior games in 2013 despite a promising pre-season which saw him play a key role in the Lions’ NAB Cup premiership campaign.

He went on to co-captain the Lions Reserves side to their second consecutive NEAFL title, booting a game-high six goals in the State League Grand Final against Aspley.

Lions General Manager – Football Operations, Dean Warren, recognised Cornelius’ contribution to the Club.

“Aaron has shown a real commitment to the Club over the past five years, and we sincerely thank him for his service,” Warren said.

“He played a particularly valuable role with our Reserves side this year, helping lead them towards another NEAFL premiership.

“On behalf of everyone at the Brisbane Lions, we wish Aaron all the best for the future.”