AFL: Veteran Lions defender Grant Birchall a victim of reduced senior lists
Multiple premiership winner Grant Birchall took one for the team and will be added to the Brisbane rookie list as clubs take advantage of new AFL list rules
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Four-time AFL premiership winner Grant Birchall has been temporarily delisted by Brisbane Lions who axed three players on list lodgement day with a commitment to take them all in the rookie draft.
With lists having cut from 47 to 44 and a nine per cent decrease in payments, veteran Birchall – who joined the Lions this year from Hawthorn along with Connor Ballenden and Rhys Mathieson have all been chopped, for now.
The Lions made the moves in line with a new “mechanism” available to clubs to help with the shift in list sizes and the salary cap.
New rules which allow players to be transferred from the senior list to the rookie list but retain all the playing rights of those in the primary squad.
“We’re thankful to the AFL for their hard work in providing the clubs with additional management mechanisms to minimise any negative impact for the players involved,” Lions list manager Dom Ambrogio said.
While Birchall, Ballenden and Mathieson will return, the Lions have delisted Mitch Hinge and Cedric Cox.
South Australia 22-year-old Hinge, who has played just three senior games for the Lions in the past two seasons, has been linked with a move to the Adelaide Crows.
Cox, 23, who didn’t play any senior football this year, wants to return to his home state of Western Australia.
Unfortunately, we've had to farewell Cedric Cox and Mitch Hinge.
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) November 25, 2020
We thank them both for their contributions to our Club and wish them all the best.
More on recent changes 👉 https://t.co/U0wd774wyu pic.twitter.com/tssSjd0nLu
The Lions – who are set to next week announce their new football manager following David Noble’s appointment as North Melbourne coach – have re-signed reliable defender Ryan Lester for two more years.
Lester, 28, debuted for the Lions in 2011 and has made 144 AFL appearances for the club.
“I feel very proud to have been at the one club for a long period of time and that it is going to continue for a couple more years,’’ Lester said.
“Not many players get to be at the one club and I’m grateful for that and for the experiences I’ve had.
“This last season was the best we’ve had in my time at the club and hopefully there’s many good times ahead.’’
Ambrogio said Lesters’s ability to “drive standards” while the competition was suspended this year due to COVID-19 were “symbolic of the dedication he has displayed throughout his career”.
“Ryan was able to play various important roles throughout the year and this culminated in a terrific finals series,” Ambrogio said.
Young forward Tom Fullarton, who made his AFL debut this year 2020, has been elevated to the senior list after two seasons as a Category B rookie.
The Lions add Lithuania-born Deividas Uosis as a category B rookie.
Originally published as AFL: Veteran Lions defender Grant Birchall a victim of reduced senior lists
Ablett’s heartbreaking condition reveal
Jordan and Gary Ablett had been reluctant to discuss many details about their little boy’s heartbreaking condition until now.
Waiting game? Dockers continue to keep tabs on Swans superstar
The possibility of Chad Warner asking for a move back to Western Australia continues to make the rounds, but how quickly could it happen? Fremantle have had their say on the matter.