The Brisbane Lions have promoted Rookie duo Niall McKeever and Jack Crisp to the Club’s senior list at today’s first AFL list lodgement.
McKeever, recruited as an international Rookie from County Antrim in Ireland, came to the Lions at the end of 2009, and after a season honing his new craft in the NEAFL, was rewarded with his first senior call-up in Round 14 of 2011.
He went on to hold down key defensive positions for every remaining game in 2011, and played a further nine games in 2012.
He becomes the latest in a line of Irish footballers to successfully transition to Australian Rules - including fellow Lion Pearce Hanley.
Crisp was promoted almost instantly to the Lions senior list in 2012 as a replacement for Matthew Leuenberger (who was on the long-term injury list) following his impressive outings in the 2012 NAB Cup.
Crisp, recruited at the end of 2011, debuted against the Gold Coast in Round 4 and went on to contribute in a further nine games for the year - impressive for a first-year Rookie.
The Club’s primary list movement so far this off-season is as follows:
In:
Brent Moloney (recruited as a Free Agent from Melbourne FC)
Stefan Martin (traded from Melbourne FC)
Niall McKeever (promoted from Rookie list)
Jack Crisp (promoted from Rookie list)
Out:
Amon Buchanan (retired)
Josh Drummond (retired)
Ben Hudson (retired)
Cheynee Stiller (delisted)
Sam Sheldon (delisted)
James Hawksley (delisted)
Bryce Retzlaff (delisted)
