Contrary to some popular opinions, the sky is NOT falling over the Gabba.

Yes, the Brisbane Lions have emerged from a difficult AFL Trade Period during which the Club was forced to farewell five promising young players, but all is not completely lost.

It’s no secret that the Lions would have much preferred to retain these players, or at the very least received greater compensation in return.

Sam Docherty, Jared Polec, Elliot Yeo, Patrick Karnezis and Billy Longer had all been earmarked as having key roles in the Club’s regeneration, and represented an important age demographic for the future.

However, with the possible exception of Yeo, neither had proven to be regular contributors to the senior side.

Yeo was clearly the most credentialed of the ‘departing five’, having played 27 senior matches in two seasons – including 19 in 2013.

Fellow 2011 draftees Billy Longer (nine games) and Sam Docherty (13 games) didn’t have the same type of impact at senior level.

Polec played just 16 matches in three injury-riddled seasons at the Lions (an average of just over five per season), while Karnezis played 21 over the same period – 11 of which came from his debut year.

So their absence probably won’t have a profound impact on the make-up of the Lions’ senior side in Round 1 of next season.

The biggest effect could be felt in three years’ time, when these players begin to reach the peak of their AFL powers.

But while they represent an important age demographic at the Club, there are still a number of other Lions remaining from that same era who could go on to became as good – if not better – players than their higher-drafted former teammates.

The following players still remain from the 2010 and 2011 Drafts:

Justin Clarke (2011 Rookie Draft): A raw talent who was able to hold down a key position for a large part of his second season and looks to be a long-term pillar of the Lions’ backline.  

Jack Crisp (2011 Rookie Draft): A developing tall midfielder who was named in the 2013 NEAFL Team of the Year and won the Joe Grant Medal as the best in last month’s NEAFL Grand Final.

Josh Green (2010 National Draft): Began to establish himself up forward in 2013 with 24 goals – the third most at the Club. Has now kicked 39 goals from 34 career matches and could potentially move into the midfield.  

Ryan Lester (2010 National Draft): His 38 senior games are the most by any player from the Lions’ class of 2010. He’s a versatile option who can play up forward, down back, or even as a big-bodied midfielder. 

Sam Michael (2011 Rookie Draft): Thekey position player and occasional ruckman got his first taste of senior AFL action in 2013, and was also selected to represent Queensland in the annual State game. Michael’s a competitive beast who now has two valuable years of development behind him. 

Patrick Wearden (2011 National Draft): Serious facial fractures kept Wearden sidelined for a large period in 2013, however he showed career best form in the NEAFL upon his return. The 191cm project player will be pressing hard for a senior claim next season.

In addition, the Club also recruited another 2011 draftee – Jackson Paine (from Collingwood) – during the Trade Period.

Like most big men (he’s a 194cm key forward), Paine is expected to take some time to develop, but could turn out to be another 10-year prospect.

Even if only half of the players mentioned above can go on to forge successful AFL careers, then the damage of those departing will be limited.

Plus, the Lions possess a Club-record six selections inside the first two rounds of next month’s National Draft – most of which are compensation from trades.