Lions lock up talent to be a future force
Cutler, 22, will remain in Lions colours until the end of 2019 after playing 38 games since his debut in 2014.
He was sidelined with a hamstring injury but his strong run-and-carry and competitive nature will make him a mainstay of Brisbane’s backline.
Brisbane general manager of football David Noble said both re-signings strengthened the long-term core of the club.
“Jarrod is a ripper,” Noble said. “He is a very wellrounded individual with strong aspirations and strong leadership while Tom is very much a part of our foundation for the future.’’
Berry’s best mate and Lions teammate Hugh McCluggage will be rested from the Tasmanian trip while Daniel McStay (fractured hand) and Mitch Robinson (broken foot) will also be out of action.
They have been replaced by Tom Bell, Rohan Bewick and Josh Walker. The trio of Walker, Darcy Gardiner and Claye Beams will all reach 50-game milestones.
Lions coach Chris Fagan says inside knowledge of Hawthorn only counts for so much.
Fagan spent nine years with the Hawks in a variety of highpowered football department positions and helped Hawthorn power to four flags before linking with the Lions.
Fagan has been careful not to overload his players with too much information which may already be out of date.
“I guess I know the players reasonably well but it’s funny, you can be away from a club for a not a very long period and things change,” he said.
“Their personnel have changed a little bit and I know Clarko is always tweaking his game plan.
“You know the habits and strengths and weaknesses of each player but I could tell our players all that sort of stuff and it might just confuse them. You can overcook it sometimes.’’
Fagan said he and Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson regularly communicated but chats had stopped temporarily.