Brisbane could be set to secure another top five talent out of the draft despite sitting among the top rungs on the AFL ladder
Lions Academy prospect Dan Annable looms as one of the headline names in this year's draft crop, with the Allies onballer having enjoyed a sensational past 18 months.
That spell recently included a VFL debut with Brisbane, with the midfielder showing no issue at the state league level.
While he could be the best player in this year's draft, a rival bid for Annable might not come first overall, which has been a continued trend in recent years.
It was the case for Lions father-son duo Will and Levi Ashcroft, who were picked second and fifth overall in their respective drafts despite being touted as potential Pick 1 options.
Speaking on this week's episode ofย Craft of the Draft,ย host Mitch Keating said the trend is likely to continue with Annable in 2025.
"He probably doesn't get a bid at Pick 1, maybe Pick 2," Keating claimed.
"Like we saw with Levi Ashcroft last year, clubs are just hesitant that early in the draft and are happy to just pick the player they want.
"But if Dan Annable keep up his case so far this year, he could be one of the top three selected on the night, and force Brisbane's hand quite early and swallow up a heap of picks and points.
"The AFL has made it a bit harder this year to match those bids, but it's certainly not impossible for the Brisbane Lions given the picks they have at their disposal already."
Craft of the Draftย analyst Jonty Ralphsmith sees Annable as a 'perfect' fit for the Lions given his ability as a two-way ball-winner.
Adding to an already impressive young cohort of midfielders in the Queensland capital, Annable could be another piece of the puzzle for Brisbane.
"He addresses what they need so perfectly," Ralphsmith said.
"They've got so much star power running through that midfield in the next decade or so, with the Ashcroft brothers, Sam Marshall and Jaspa Fletcher as well.
"Dan Annable has the ability to be that offensive game-breaking match-winner. But he's also so defensively accountable that if you did want to insert him in there to ensure those players are able to run riot at stoppage, then you've got someone playing that 'James Rowbottom role'.
"He'd at some grunt into that midfield."
The Lions will also have priority access to Academy trio Isaac Waller, Harrison Bridge and Raph Geesu, who can each fill tall forward, medium backman and small forward list needs respectively, if required.
Key defensive options loom as a potential area for the reigning premiers to target, with Brisbane having unknown commodities in untried pair Luke Lloyd and Zane Zakostelsky.
Northern Territory tall Taj Murray could be a standout option for the Lions, however his draft range could fall late into the first round, potentially placing him out of reach of Brisbane.
South Australia's Noah Daw is another potential target, while Victorian trio Andrew Barker, Xavier Taylor and Max Kondogiannis are in the low 190cm region.
You can watchย Craft of the Draft'sย breakdown of Brisbane's draft plans below, or watch this week's full episode onย Zero Hanger'sย YouTube channel.
