The Brisbane Lions want for very, very little.
The reigning, defending, back-to-back champs have a clean bill of health and will be well rested for the week off that Wildcard Round granted them. Their path to an historic three-peat is laid out before them. But what about beyond that?
Zac Bailey's free agency leanings are still yet to be revealed, despite confidence some six weeks ago that he'd be remaining in the River City. Lachie Neale appears a moral to opt against adding to the exemplary eight seasons of service he has provided coach Chris Fagan.
So where to next? What are some savvy acquisitions the league's best-run club could feasibly make this off-season to keep their proverbial premiership window jammed open?
Zac Williams
The Giant-turned-Blue is nearing the end of the six-year, $5 million deal that brought him to IKON Park ahead of the 2021 season, and clubs are looking at utilising a loophole to acquire the 31-year-old.
With the AFLPA expected to sign off on the extra Category B list spot the AFL wants to introduce specifically for the acquisition of First Nations talent, clubs interested in players like Williams will be hoping Carlton decision-makers deem him surplus to their requirements and delist him.
Should Williams then not be picked up in the next National Draft, clubs will seek to add his wealth of experience to their list, without the use of a traditional list spot.
The Lions should be one such club. It's a win-now move for a club in the most win-now of moods.
Williams would be excellent depth, providing utility, drive and experience, and at this stage of his career, his asking price would be considerably down on what it was when he made his way to Melbourne's inner north as a free agent.
