They are the Queenslanders putting the Maroon into the Brisbane Lions.

Thirteen of the 47-strong playing roster in 2016 hail from Queensland, part of the “Maroon Grown” push by the Club aimed at keeping the Lions local and long-term.

Vice-captain's Daniel Merrett, Dayne Beams and Dayne Zorko, as well as Tom Bell, Harris Andrews, Jono Freeman, Claye Beams, Liam Dawson, Ben Keays and Eric Hipwood are on the senior list, while Archie Smith, Reuben William and Matthew Hammelmann are on the rookie list.

Merrett said for Brisbane to survive and thrive, there was no better place to recruit than their own backyard with the Hyundai Help For Kids Lions Academy playing a huge role.

“It’s the best way to fight it (go home factor). It’s essential for our club’s future,’’ he said.

“It’s great that the Lions Academy is producing really talented young kids and hopefully in the next few years we can bring a few boys home that have snuck through the system like we have with Dayne Beams and Tom Bell.

“As a Queensland boy, I know I dreamt to play for my home state. With the club really pushing to have more Queenslanders on the list, all the talented kids at the Academy can see a real pathway there.

“We don’t have State of Origin in our sport so to be able to put a maroon jumper on every week is pretty special.

“The club isn’t gifting games to the young Queensland guys either. They are earning their spots because they can really play.’’

Lions CEO Greg Swann said: “It’s our plan to have 50 per cent of the list being Queenslanders if we can.

“We are looking to the Academy to hopefully keep pushing players through in the next few years. There’s plenty of homegrown Queensland talent out there.’’

The next young gun off the production line is Hyundai Help For Kids Lions Academy, AFL Academy and All-Australian under 18 representative Jacob Allison.

Allison — who works at the Lions merchandise shop at the Gabba — will enter this year’s draft and Brisbane have stockpiled picks to help secure the Aspley product.