The Brisbane Lions are facing the distinct possibility of parting company with up to five of their promising youngsters this Trade Period.
Patrick Karnezis, Billy Longer, Jared Polec, Elliot Yeo and Sam Docherty have all advised the Club of their intentions to return back home after only a few short years in Brisbane.
And while the Lions have been no stranger to dealing with homesick players over the years, the threat of losing five in one off-season is almost unprecedented.
Lions National Talent Manager Rob Kerr told Trade Week Radio on Wednesday that the Club would be looking further into the reasons why these players all want to leave.
“That’s a question that will be asked. The Club as a whole has to own the situation we’re in,” Kerr said.
“It would be foolish to say that everything’s gone swimmingly.”
“We probably haven’t been as well resourced as other clubs in development areas, but from day one with these boys, we have been trying to extend their contracts.
“Perhaps we didn’t quite get the buy-in we needed. They all sit in front of you (during the pre-draft interview process) and tell you they’re prepared to move, but the reality isn’t always the case.”
Kerr also revealed that new Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch met with each of the players within his first week of his appointment to understand their situation.
“They’re all telling us something different than the other one, so there’s not one specific thing that’s worked against them wanting to stay at Brisbane,” he said.
Regardless of the final outcome, the Lions won’t be brushing the issue aside as being ‘just a coincidence’.
“We’ll be working hard to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” Kerr said.
Reasons for leaving
The Lions will look into the reasons why some players want to leave