Contrary to popular belief, the sky is NOT falling over the Gabba.

As evidence, you need only look at the number of quality players who have committed themselves to the Brisbane Lions’ cause by re-signing with the Club.

And there have been plenty in recent times.

In fact, a total of 17 players have extended their contract with the Lions in the past 12 months.

This includes key signatures from young stars such as Daniel Rich, Matthew Leuenberger, Jack Redden, Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley, Sam Mayes and Dayne Zorko.

The Club has also been able to effectively avoid free agency raids from other clubs by negotiating deals with two-time Club Champion Joel Patfull and full-back Daniel Merrett.

Extended contracts for Josh Green, Mitch Golby, Ryan Harwood, Justin Clarke, Patrick Wearden and Jordon Bourke have also helped shore up the team’s promising future, while the Club has maintained some experience in the form of Jonathan Brown and Brent Staker.

And the Club’s not done just yet, with more good news expected out of the Gabba on Thursday.

So it’s not all ‘doom and gloom’ in Brisbane, as many external sources would have you led to believe, with the majority of Lions players buying into the Club’s vision and building together towards that next wave of success.

Believe. Belong.

WHAT THEY SAID

Matthew Leuenberger
“The most attractive thing about our list at the moment is that there are some really talented individuals coming through. I haven’t really had too much success here, so I want to come through with those blokes. I also like the idea of being a one-club player and showing loyalty. It’s something that I value, so I wanted to hang around.”

Dayne Zorko
“I’m loving each day here. It’s a fantastic environment – I love the Gabba and I love the Brisbane Lions. I’m rapt. The Club’s in a fantastic position and we’re growing week-in week-out.”

Daniel Rich
“It was a lot of things. The direction the club is heading ... the playing group is a wonderful group and I believe as long we stick together we are going to go places. The culture of the Club and also the state as well, it suits me pretty well.”

Joel Patfull
“I never thought twice about (re-signing). As long as they want me here, I’ll stay. I felt comfortable in Brisbane from the minute I arrived. I always felt this was a good place for me to live and play football.” 

Jack Redden
“I love the Club and I love Brisbane. There was never a doubt in my mind that I would remain a Lion. I have been at the Club for six years now and I am really excited about the direction we are heading.”

Pearce Hanley
“I love the Club. We are a tight playing group, a really united playing group. I'm delighted that I'm staying.”

Sam Mayes
“I'm happy up here (in Brisbane). (We've got a) good bunch of players, good group, good future, so it was not hard to stick around. I've found it a little bit easier because me and three other first year boys moved into a house together. You can tell with the likes of Tom Rockliff, Jack Redden, Daniel Rich, the leaders of the club through the coming years, they're gun players and great leaders, so if we can follow in their footsteps and keep pushing forward, it'll be good for the team.”

Daniel Merrett
“As a Queensland boy, being able to call myself a Brisbane player for life, it's pretty amazing. I still feel like my best footy is ahead of me and I'm here to help this team get back to the finals. I can only see this team improving, particularly with so many good young players, so I'm jumping on the bandwagon early.”