Introduction The former Richmond defender arrived at the Lions during the 2009 trade period and has since been used in roles across half-back, in the midfield and occasionally as a tagger. While his early years were somewhat restricted through injury, he has certainly lost none of his trademark dash. Background • The son of former Brisbane Bear Geoff Raines, Andrew Raines spent most of his junior career playing with local Queensland club Southport in the AFLQ. • He was drafted to Richmond with their 8th round selection (Pick No.76 overall) in the 2003 AFL National Draft and promptly moved to Melbourne to commence his career. • After managing just seven matches in his first two seasons at the Tigers, Raines enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2006 when he played all 22 matches and finished Runner-Up in Richmond's Best & Fairest award. • He also finished Runner-Up in the AFL's Rising Star Award behind Port Adelaide's Danyle Pearce after being nominated earlier in the season. This feat saw Raines recognised as one of the most promising young players in the AFL. • His breakthrough season of 2006 also earned Raines selection in Australia's International Rules Series side where he spent plenty of time with recently retired Lions star Michael Voss. • He played all 22 matches and averaged close to 20 disposals the following year in 2007 before injuries limited him to just five matches across both the 2008 and 2009 seasons.  • After two interrupted seasons with the Tigers, Raines sought a new start and was subsequently traded back to Queensland to join the Brisbane Lions in exchange for a third round draft pick.
2010 • Raines’ first season at the Lions saw him play ten games in total, missing the tail-end of the season with a quad injury. • He played the first six rounds before suffering a minor calf strain in round 6 against the Swans, and was subsequently rested and returned again against Geelong in round 8 for a further two games. • He then returned to the Reserves, where he starred against the Western Magpies with 23 touches in the first half, and although he had a tight tag in the second half, was still amongst the Lions’ best. • Raines struggled with form and injury throughout the later part of the season and played his last game for the Seniors in round 13. • Raines finished with 7.5 votes in the Club Champion Award. 2011 • Raines assumed the role as the Lions' first-choice run-with player in 2011 and successfully performed shut-down jobs on some of the competition's highest quality midfielders.  • He earned his place in the senior team from Round 1 and played in each of the team's first seven matches. But midway through the Round 7 match against Gold Coast, he was severely concussed which forced him to be substituted. • The concussion kept Raines sidelined for a couple of weeks and he was then required to reclaim his position in the senior side by performing in the NEAFL with the Lions Reserves. • He was recalled in Round 14 against Fremantle in Subiaco and proved a valuable contributor in each of the Lions' final 10 matches. • He collected 20 disposals or more in all but two of the last 10 games of the season (including a Lions-best 29 disposals in Round 15 against Port Adelaide). • He was recalled in Round 14 against Fremantle in Subiaco and proved a valuable contributor in each of the Lions' final 10 matches. • Raines finished the season with 16 matches over which he averaged 18.4 disposals. He also ranked 12th in the Club Champion voting - just three votes shy of a top ten finish. • His most productive season with the Lions also saw him selected for the second time in the 2011 Queensland Team of the Year - after being a member of the inaugural Team of the Year back in 2007 while playing with Richmond.
The Brisbane Lions will include three young midfielders in an attempt to improve their speed in the lead-up to their clash with EssendonFriday, May 13, 2011 - 2:18PM
The rejuvenation of the Brisbane Lions side continues as the club announces more list changes Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 3:09PM
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