The Brisbane Lions are committed to using their third, fourth and final round selections at the 2014 NAB AFL National Draft (currently Pick No.41 and 60 overall and the Club’s last live selection, which is currently Pick No.114) on Queenslanders Harris Andrews and Liam Dawson, and Father-Son selection, Josh Clayton, following a successful Father-Son and Academy bidding meeting.
Although the Lions had priority access to the three players due to their involvement in the Hyundai Lions Academy and with Clayton the son of former Fitzroy best and fairest Scott, all other clubs were given the opportunity to bid for their services at the official bidding meeting at Etihad Stadium this morning.
The Lions will use their fourth, fifth and final round selection at next month’s National Draft on Dawson, Andrews and Clayton after Richmond and North Melbourne bid their second round draft – Pick No.31 and Pick No.40 respectively – for Dawson and Andrews.
Andrews, a product of the Aspley Hornets, is a 200cm key position defender and back-up ruckman who has shown considerable improvement during his time in the Lions Academy.
Also from Aspley, Dawson, is a 188cm versatile defender who won the Harrison Medal in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in 2013, before missing this year’s championships with injury.
Father-Son selection, Clayton, who stands at 190cm, has been used all over the ground throughout his TAC Cup season with the Sandringham Dragons and in his games with Vic Metro and Brighton Grammar in 2014.
Lions Recruiting Manager, Steve Conole, said:
“We are thrilled to have these three boys in Lions colours next year.
“It is fantastic for the Hyundai Lions Academy to have another two players successfully transition onto a senior AFL list.
“Both Liam and Harris were bid upon by other Clubs with their second round picks, so that highlights how highly rated in the draft both boys were.
“All three guys have shown some promising signs over the past 12 months and Lions fans should be excited about watching them develop over the coming years.”
