The Brisbane Lions have completed a three-club trade with West Coast and Fremantle to strengthen its position ahead of next month’s draft.
The Club has received picks 16, 22, 44 and 50 while trading out restricted free agent Brandon Starcevich and picks 19, 46 and 52.
“We’re disappointed to see a player of Brandon’s quality leave,” Lions list manager Dom Ambrogio said.
“However, aside from the Free Agents we have targeted to bring in, our main aim in this trade period is to strengthen our draft hand and we feel this trade has accomplished that.”
Starcevich, who was drafted to the Lions with Pick 17 in 2018, departs the Lions as a two-time premiership player as he returns home to Western Australia to join West Coast.
Ambrogio said the Club was extremely grateful for what Starcevich had done for the Lions in his 132 games across eight seasons.
“Brandon has been a fantastic contributor to the Brisbane Lions and played a key role in back-to-back premierships,” Ambrogio said.
“He has been a respected and admired figure at the Club for the selfless role he played and for the type of person he is off the field.
“Brandon and his family will always be welcome at the Brisbane Lions, and we wish them all the best for the future.”
The 26-year-old defender said he was grateful to the Lions and leaves with some special memories from his time at the Club.
“I am incredibly grateful the Club gave me a chance to realise my dream as an 18-year-old,” Starcevich said,
“I am also very proud to have been part of our journey back to the top.
“I want to say thank you to all the Lions fans who have been incredibly supportive of myself and the group over the years.”
The Lions have also added former Essendon ruckman Sam Draper to its premiership-winning list during the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period.
