Recruiting raids end for Lions

BRISBANE’S quick-fix era is over, with the Lions content to again go back to the draft rather than launch more recruiting raids this year.

The Lions jumped off the bottom of the ladder with their rousing Round 9 win over Hawthorn, as the kids, led by Hugh McCluggage and Eric Hipwood, played critical roles.

Brisbane lured young star Charlie Cameron north by making him one of their highest-paid players and in past seasons have topped up with senior players with mixed levels of success.

But emboldened by their improvement this year, they will continue to stockpile talent with picks that currently stand at Nos.2, 20 and 38.

All of those younger players are locked away – Harris Andrews, McCluggage, and Cam Rayner until 2021, Hipwood, Jarrod Berry and Alex Witherden until 2020.

Mitch Robinson will be handed a new contract after continued excellent form, with Allen Christensen also saving his career.

Christensen had played only 11 games in the past two years because of continuing shoulder injuries that at one stage looked likely to curtail his promising career.

He has played every game this year and barring serious injury the 27-year-old will secure another deal. Robinson continues to be a combustible but effective midfielder for the Lions.

He turns 29 in a fortnight, and while he would like a twoseason contract, is expected to be given another one-year deal.

There is a feeling keeping him on edge with one-year deals narrows his focus and he is expected to agree to the shorter deal.

Brisbane are finally in the enviable decision of having a solid collection of talls and midfielders which gives them flexibility at the national draft.

SANFL star Jack Lukosius is still likely the No.1 pick in the draft, an athletic tall who reminds track watchers of Nick Riewoldt.

Victorian twins Max and Ben King are not far behind, Max a key tall who has just ruptured his ACL and Ben an intercept-marking swingman.

The idea of any of those players complimenting English or Hipwood at either end would be mouth-watering to Lions fans.

But should they fall in the draft and take a midfielder like Geelong Falcon Sam Walsh, they still have enough talls to compete.

Luke Hodge is in strong enough form to give himself the option of playing on next year rather than moving into assistant coaching.