Brisbane Academy prospect Dan Annable has been buoyed by the immediate roles Lion cubs have taken over the past two premiership seasons after being drafted to the club.
The Queensland outfit's successive flags have seen father-son duo Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher play starring season deciders, while first-year players Levi Ashcroft, Sam Marshall and Ty Gallop all featured in this year's win over Geelong.
Annable is the latest Lions-tied draft star set to join the reigning premiers, having enjoyed a dominant season across several different levels.
As well as his on-field efforts, Annable has been able to lean on Brisbane star Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley as part of his development, while Fletcher has also been a reliable source of support.
Touted as a ready-made talent, having been a standout for Brisbane's VFL side in the second half of this year, Annable told Zero Hanger's Craft of the Draft that the "system" in place at the club is proof that any fresh face can have a resounding impact.
"It shows it's possible and it gives me a lot of confidence that I can come in and make an impact," he said.
"Whether that's early in the season or late, it doesn't matter. It just gives me confidence that the system is working for the young fellas and it can happen.
| 6 RANK |  | Dan Annable Brisbane Academy Midfielder HEIGHT: 183cm | â–¶+ |
"Naturally, you just want to do the best you can. If Round 1 is the goal, then that'd be great, but there's a lot of hurdles before then, as well as building connections with all the players and getting through pre-season to keep my body healthy.
"There's no expectation to play Round 1, but it'd be nice."
Annable, considered a potential top five pick, played a starring role for the Lions' state league side, averaging 21.3 disposals, 3.6 tackles and 4.34 clearances from his eight games, including two finals.
His stint followed a prolific year that included commitments with the Lions Academy, the Allies and the AFL Academy.
Annable claimed best-afield honours when captaining the AFL Academy against Richmond's VFL side early in the season, with an U18s All-Australian selection another accolade from his 2025 campaign.
While the well-balanced midfielder looked in control with every new performance, the year did come with its challenges.
Having travelled across the country all year, adapting to new teams and teammates, the constant change came with its demands.
Annable said the varying commitments and long seasons against the game's best can take its toll, but a good understanding of his body and its recovery played a key part in being able to back up each outing the following week.
"Playing for many different teams is quite a big challenge," Annable conceded.
"You have to get used to different game styles and game plans, different coaches and the players around you.
"Being able to adapt and change, not who you are, but how you go about it and the way you play, that's a big challenge.
"Being able to fine-tune different areas of your game to match how the game is going to be played at different levels (was a challenge).
"Another was trying to keep the energy high throughout the year. They're pretty long seasons and long games.
"Taking an easier week or doing something to recover the body to make sure you're not going into a game heavy or tired and managing your body (was important)."
While Annable is the standout from Brisbane's Academy this year, he's not alone in potentially graduating to the Lions' AFL squad.
Annable, who has seen wide-ranging improvement in his time since joining the Academy at the age of 12, has credited teammates Tyan Prindable, Isaac Waller and Harrison Bridge in his draft journey.
Prindable was a sharp riser in 2025, which was his first full season with the Academy, enjoying a strong U18s National Championships with the Allies as an inside midfielder.
Complementing Annable's game, Prindable rose into draft contention after a late call-up to the rep side, and would catch the eye once more in his own stint with Brisbane's VFL program.
"He's unreal. He's a really cool story. He only started and did a full season in the Academy this year," Annable said of the Coorparoo product.
"It's really cool to see where he's come from, and his development over this year, especially.
"He's just a tough inside mid that is really clean around stoppage and he's got a pretty nice penetrating kick as well.
"We seem to be on the same page a lot of the time."
Waller helped lead the Allies' ruck unit this year, and often gave silver service to the likes of Annable, Prindable, Gold Coast-tied teenager Koby Coulson and Swans Academy ace Noah Chamberlain.
Annable lauded the role Waller has played in his development, with the pair having a close connection across their junior careers.
"The mid-ruck chemistry needs to be high, so I've done a lot of work with him," he added.
"He's a really athletic, tall prospect that can move really well for a big fella.
"His ruck craft is elite. I try to credit him a lot, because he puts it down my throat heaps. He can also get forward, take a good contested mark and finish a good goal."
Bridge is still recovering from a leg injury sustained in the Allies' opener against South Australia, a setback that brought an abrupt and unfortunate end to his draft campaign.
The 181cm defender had a strong start to the year in the Coates Talent League, and was a member of the 2023 U16s All-Australian team earlier in his development.
"He hasn't let that (injury) slow him down. he's got such a great attitude and just wants to get better," Annable said of Bridge.
"He's working hard and he's really classy across half-back who uses the ball well. Can break lines and get the ball in deep.
"He's a classy mover and a hard-working, good character."
The 2025 AFL Draft will take place on November 19-20, with the Lions holding Picks 17, 23, 44, 51, 59, 68 and 79.
