Queenslanders Claye Beams and Jono Freeman have signed two-year contract extensions with the Brisbane Lions.

Beams, 23, and Freeman, 20, are the latest players to show faith and commit to the end of 2017 on the path being set for the Club by Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch.

Beams has played 29 games and kicked 21 goals for the Lions since being selected from Labrador with Pick 76 in the 2009 AFL Rookie Draft with a Queensland Priority Selection.

He was one of the Lions’ best in the narrow opening round loss to Collingwood at the Gabba after overcoming a number of serious injuries in recent seasons.

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Freeman is one of the Club’s best key forward hopes, the 198cm Sunshine Coaster kicking 6 goals in four AFL games at the end of last season including a bag of four against the ‘Pies at the MCG.

As a member of the Hyundai Help For Kids Lions Academy program, the Lions had priority access to Freeman in the 2013 AFL Draft, however rival clubs were able to bid for his services.

Adelaide bid their third round draft selection – Pick No.42 overall – for him, which was promptly matched by the Lions, who ended up acquiring him with the fourth round selection (Pick No.59 overall).

Freeman has been forced to sit out the start of 2015 after back surgery but is making a strong recovery and is expected back on the field in the middle of the season.

Lions General Manager of Football, Dean Warren, said the Club was thrilled to have secured both Beams and Freeman for another two seasons. “They are both very good young players and have really bright futures with our Football Club,” said Warren.

“The fact they are both Queenslanders makes it that bit sweeter for the local game, and shows the kind of talent the game in Queensland can produce.”