Brisbane Lions utility Marco Paparone is close to finalising a two-year contract extension with the Club.
 
The 21-year-old, who was taken by the Lions with pick No.23 overall in the 2012 National Draft, has played 45 games, including all 22 games last season.
 
The West Australian has impressed Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch over the summer as a standout on the track – not only for his elite running ability, but also for his endurance.
 
Football Manager Matthew Francis said it was important that the Lions hold on to a player of Paparone’s talent.
 
“Marco is going to be a terrific long-term key player for the Brisbane Lions. He had an outstanding year for such a young player.
 
“His placing (fifth) in our Club’s Best and Fairest is testament to that.”
 
Paparone would become the latest in a string of Lions players to recommit to the Club in the past six months following on from Stefan Martin, Pearce Hanley and Mitch Robinson most recently.