Brisbane's burgeoning dynasty has come as a result of aggressive recruitment and strong draft hauls, with father-son and Academy selections aiding the latter at times.
While having priority access to some of the country's best kids is a significant advantage, the development of those picks is just as important.
The Lions have shown how to nurture the next wave of stars, with Will Ashcroft now a prime example after rebounding from an ACL injury in his maiden campaign to win successive Norm Smith Medals in the subsequent two seasons.
Once again, the Lions will have access to one of the draft's best midfielders in the same year they lifted the trophy, helping extend their plans for the long term.
Draft Hand
Picks: 17, 23, 44, 51, 59, 68, 79 (1756 Points)
The Lions did well to exit the trade period with the picks and points tally they did, moving on their own first-round pick but acquiring two in return. Picks 17 and 23 combine for 1532 of their points total alone, which will go a long way to aiding their plans to secure Academy kids.
However, their entire draft hand combines for a bid no earlier than Pick 5, and with top-rated teenager Dan Annable viewed as one of the leading names in the draft, Brisbane will need to get busy with more pick swapping to ensure they get access to the Allies star.
The Lions are also likely to have Academy pair Tyan Prindable and Isaac Waller in mind, who are likely late or rookie selections that will bolster their midfield-forward and ruck ranks, respectively.
List Needs
The Best Available: When you finish atop the competition, getting access to the best in the draft is often unlikely. Thankfully for Brisbane, its club-tied talent continues to rank among the best in the country. After claiming the Ashcroft boys, Jaspa Fletcher and Sam Marshall as first-round picks since 2022, the Lions are set to land Annable from their Academy within the first several selections of this year's count. It'll be another boost to Brisbane's future while they continue to contend amid a building dynasty.
A Defensive Clamp: The loss of Brandon Starcevich is significant, and it showed when the Lions did what they could to keep him. Noah Answerth stepped up to the plate in his absence this year before suffering a season-ending injury, and there's now room for someone to move into Answerth's role as a second-string lockdown medium-sized defender. Brisbane has a bevy of attacking options from defence, with Dayne Zorko soon handing the keys to Fletcher, Darcy Wilmot and Keidean Coleman, but a more defensive-minded stopper is just as crucial.
New-Age Backman: If there's one area of the Lions' list where they're lacking, it's a youthful key defender who nears the two-metre mark. They don't exactly grow on trees, but with the new age of key position players often stopping the tape past 200 centimetres, clubs need to prepare for a counter move of equal size. Zane Zakolstelsky is one on their books who has been used as a supporting ruckman while shifting to defence, and comes in at 196cm tall. Another option who can eventually look to succeed the Lions' top brass of backmen would be an ideal find.
Potential Targets
Dan Annable: Another priority access jewel for the Lions to add to their draft crown, with the Redlands junior a top-five prospect among his draft class. A well-balanced ball winner, Annable flexed his value across every level he played, including matchups against VFL opposition for both the AFL Academy and Brisbane's reserves. He'll join a long line of gun midfielders in the Queensland capital, but that won't deter his push to be a Round 1 showing. The Lions will also have Tyan Prindable and Isaac Waller from their Academy in mind.
| 6 RANK |  | Dan Annable Brisbane Academy Midfielder HEIGHT: 183cm | โถ+ |
Finn Davis: At 188cm, Davis has good size and an ability to play on both small and tall forwards. Think Connor Idun, with the Western Jets and Vic Metro talent, an accountable defensive asset who can lock down his opponent before switching to attack. With most of the Lions' plans going toward Annable and other Academy kids, Davis is one name for the reigning premiers to consider from the open pool as a late or rookie selection.
| N/A RANK |  | Finn Davis Western Jets Defender HEIGHT: 188cm | โถ |
Taj Murray: A member of this year's AFL Academy, Murray is one of the best prospects to come out of the Northern Territory for some time. While more of a ruck-forward, there is a view that Murray could thrive as a key defender given his aerial ability, athleticism and read of the game. At the very least, the 199cm talent is a high-upside option who can fill a role on each line. Unlike Davis, however, the Lions may need to use a second or third-round pick to secure Murray at the draft given his standing.
| N/A RANK |  | Taj Murray NT Academy Utility HEIGHT: 199cm | + |
