AFL Draft: Lions speak on draft haul after searching for extra versatility
“We are super excited to welcome Logan, Luke, Zane, and Reece.”
Published by
Lachie Fagan
Claremont Tigers talent Zane Zakostelsky at the WAFL Colts level (image via Claremont FC)
On the second night of the 2023 AFL Draft, the Brisbane Lions significantly bolstered their squad by selecting a quartet of promising young players, enhancing their growing list of talented athletes.
Stephen Conole, the National Recruiting Manager for the Lions, was thrilled with these additions, emphasising their potential to contribute positively to the club's culture and future success.
“We are super excited to welcome Logan, Luke, Zane, and Reece to the Brisbane Lions and look forward to seeing them develop," he said.
Morris was praised by Conole, after being taken with their first selection at pick 31, describing him as a hard-working forward who can also play in defence.
"Logan is a competitive young man who adds some versatility to our forward group,” Conole said of the Lions' first selection.
"He is a terrific contested player, strong mark, presents well and reads the drop of the ball well, and is a forward who can play high or deep."
Vic Metro talent Logan Morris at 2023 National Championships (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos)
The Lions then selected Lloyd with Pick 42. Despite an injury-marred season, Lloyd demonstrated his prowess at the Sandringham Dragons, contributing to their premiership team.
Conole remarked on Lloyd's ability to impact the game in various ways and lauded his strong overhead skills and advanced game intelligence in the forward 50.
“While Luke has the ability to impact the game through multiple facets of play and will provide another dimension to our forward half," said Conole
“He is strong overhead and has high-end Forward 50 game IQ.”
The Lions also brought in Zakostelsky, a former basketball player who showed his versatility as a ruck and defender at Claremont. The club sees him as a key 196cm backman.
Conole expressed excitement about Zakostelsky's power and athleticism, anticipating his impact as a mobile key position player.
“Zane is a player with exceptional power and athleticism, so we are very excited about how he can impact games with these traits as a mobile key position player,” the Lions recruiting manager said.
“After progressing across from basketball to football this year, we look forward to seeing how much growth as a player he has as a Brisbane Lion.
Finally, Torrent, a hybrid midfielder from Western Australia, completed the Lions' draft selections. Despite being relatively new to AFL, he has shown significant improvement.
Conole described Torrent as a versatile player with a powerful left-foot kick, providing a fresh dynamic to the Lions' midfield.
“We are also very pleased to add another Western Australian lad to our list in Reece," Conole said.
“He is a versatile hybrid mid, who has played in a multitude of roles this season for Peel Thunder and with the Western Australian State team.
“He is a competitive lad with a powerful left foot kick who provides us with another mix to our midfield group.”
Brisbane added VFL-listed utility Bruce Reville to their squad as a pre-listed category B rookie on Wednesday to round out their list for 2024.