The Brisbane Lions have bolstered their midfield stocks, with the signing of 2011 Melbourne Best and Fairest winner, Brent Moloney.
Moloney, 28, today agreed to a two-year deal with the Lions.
He is able to relocate to the Hyundai Centre immediately after Melbourne opted not to match the Lions’ offer for the restricted free agent.
The strongly-built veteran of 10 AFL seasons, widely rated as one of the game’s elite clearance players, said he was looking forward to adding some experience to the Lions’ young and emerging midfield group.
“One of the things that attracted me most to Brisbane was the opportunity to be part of a midfield that features not only one of the game’s most accomplished players in Simon Black, but also an exciting group of young players,” said Moloney, who scored 19 votes in the 2011 Brownlow Medal count.
“I’m confident that I have plenty of good football in me and I can’t wait to get stuck in to pre-season training with my new teammates.”
Moloney has played 145 career AFL matches with Melbourne (122) and Geelong (23).
National Talent Manager Rob Kerr said the Club was intent on bringing in some more mature bodies to assist its developing list - and Moloney, who was a restricted free agent, fitted the bill perfectly.
“We identified Brent as the type of player who we felt could assist our young midfield group,” Kerr said.
“He is strong at clearances - he ranked second in the AFL in 2011 - and that’s an area we were certainly keen to bolster.”
Moloney will join some of his new teammates on the Lions’ pre-season training camp to Arizona.
The Lions’ pre-season training kicks off on November 5.
Brent Moloney - at a glance:
Height: 182cm
Weight: 87kg
Games: 145 (122 with Melbourne and 23 with Geelong)
Goals: 37 (31 with Melbourne and 6 with Geelong)
Recruited From: South Warrnambool / Geelong U18
AFL Clubs: Geelong (2003-2004), Melbourne (2005-2012)
Draft Details: Pick No.4 at the 2003 AFL Pre-Season Draft (Geelong); Traded to Melbourne for Pick No.12 at the 2004 AFL National Draft.
Career Highlights
AFL Rising Star Nomination 2004
Runner-Up Melbourne Best and Fairest 2009
Melbourne Best and Fairest 2011
