Brisbane Lions throw their hat in the ring as the race to draft wonderkid Tom Boyd heats up

Brisbane Lions confirm they will look to trade for this year's No.1 draft pick in the hopes of securing wonderkid Tom Boyd.

Michael Voss

BRISBANE Lions are willing to do a deal with GWS to land the no.1 pick at this year's AFL draft and wonderkid Tom Boyd.

Boyd, 17, is the standout footballer in this year's talent pool with the 199cm-tall, 102kg key forward dominating both the TAC Cup club competition for Eastern Ranges and the national under 18 titles with Vic Metro.

He is certain to go No.1 in November's draft at the Gold Coast but the Giants want to trade away the top pick to secure a quality ruckman or key defender with senior football experience.

Carlton, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Essendon have emerged as possible suitors, but Brisbane have also thrown their hat in the ring for Boyd, who has impressed talent scouts with his strong marking ability, raking boot and athleticism.

In a TAC Cup online profile, his playing style is likened to Brisbane superstar Jonathan Brown and West Coast spearhead Josh Kennedy.

Lions football manager Dean Warren said the club would not be sitting on their hands with Brisbane keen to have a ready-made and long-term replacement for Brown.

Warren would not speculate on who Brisbane may offer up to GWS but the Lions will need to part with some quality to be in the hunt for the no. 1 pick.

Ruckman Billy Longer could loom as part of the deal. Draft picks and some more bright prospects who have failed to fire in Brisbane such as Jared Polec and Patrick Karnezis could be added to the mix.

"We'll certainly want to be active during the trade period and we'll explore all options," Warren said.

"We certainly understand that Jonathan Brown is not going to be here forever and we have a gap in our list for a key forward so we'll be looking at what we can do ... as will many clubs.

"We've seen Tom play a bit and are obviously keeping a close eye on him.

"He's probably almost ready to play senior football next year and for probably a decade after that.

"When someone comes along like him, you have to have a look at it to see what you can do."

Meanwhile, contract talks between Brisbane and Pearce Hanley are set to ramp up with the Irishman's manager Paul Connors arriving back in Australia after an overseas sojourn.

Hanley is the last piece in the immediate retention puzzle with Matthew Leuenberger, Dayne Zorko and Daniel Rich all committing to the club in recent times.

"We hope to finalise things sooner rather than later," Warren said.

Brisbane have made one change to the side that beat Gold Coast last week for tomorrow's match-up with North Melbourne at the Gabba with James Polkinghorne replacing injury Brent Moloney (calf).

Mitch Golby has overcome a rib injury to be selected, while Simon Black misses again with a groin problem.