The Brisbane Lions recruiting team saw enough in Jordon Bourke and Nick Hayes to suggest both could be valuable long-term prospects for the Club.

Hayes, in particular, arrived as raw talent who had spent most of his time playing school football in country South Australia, while Bourke was fresh from a modest campaign with Queensland in the 2012 U18 National Championship. 

But their abilities were undeniable and it was believed that with the right development, they could be shaped into future AFL players.

Six months into their debut season with the Lions, and the Club couldn’t be happier with their progress.

“Bourkey has played predominantly at full-back, although we’ve tried him at centre half-back at time to get him higher up the ground,” Lions Reserves Coach Leigh Harding told lions.com.au.

“He played most of his junior footy as a natural forward, but his defensive stuff has been very good. When he goes to mark and intercept the ball, he does launch at the ball like a forward, and he rarely gets beaten one-on-one.

"He still has a way to go in terms of positioning, but has improved a lot since Round 1.

“Hayes was played forward early, before we threw him into the midfield where he probably got under the guard a little bit of the opposition,” Harding said.

“In the last couple of weeks, we’ve put him across half-back. It’s been a new challenge and he’s proven that he’s up to it. He’s beginning to show that he can play anywhere on the ground.”

Both were selected in last month’s NEAFL State squad to face the SANFL in Adelaide, although Bourke was forced to withdraw late through injury.

While Bourke was disappointed to miss out on the opportunity, he wasn’t prepared to potentially compromise the rest of his 2013 NEAFL campaign.

“I was really proud to be named in the squad. I’ve loved playing state footy since growing up,” Bourke told lions.com.au.

“When I was told I wouldn’t play I was really disappointed, but I knew it would be the best thing for me that I didn’t play.”

Bourke has enjoyed his new-found role in defence, and believes it has helped him become a more rounded footballer.

“It’s been really different to playing forward, but at the same time it’s been good,” he said.

“Playing as a defender obviously helps your defensive game. I think my time as forward has also helped because you can judge plays a bit better knowing where forwards tend to lead.

“I’m loving it down back so much that I would almost consider myself a full-time defender now.”