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?
Zane Duursma
Kangaroo Zane Duursma is an interesting watch.
The Roos swooped on the Gippsland Power prospect inside the top five of the 2023 National Draft, while players like Nick Watson were still on the board.
There's an insistence from pundits aplenty that Duursma would excel in a better system, and would match his billing as a top five pick should a better system acquire him. The half-forward role is a thankless one at the best of times, even more so in struggling sides, hence the underwhelming start to what should be a lengthy career.
Melbourne have emerged as a likely landing spot, while linking up with older brother Xavier at Essendon has also been floated as an option, should Duursma forego the two-year deal Arden St power brokers have put before him. The Lions could do a lot worse than have a ping at the stumps for the clean and crafty utility. He's young without being inexperienced, and would only add to the nucleus of young talent being assembled at the Den as their list enters a phase of transition.
