Jonathan Brown's decision to play on will not impact Brisbane's search for key forward

BRISBANE Lions say Jonathan Brown's decision to play on or not will have no impact on the club's search for a key forward.

Jonathan Brown

BRISBANE Lions chairman Angus Johnson says the club will stop at nothing to recruit a key forward for 2014 and beyond regardless of Jonathan Brown's future plans.

Johnson said the Lions will explore all options to bring an attacking spearhead to the club who will either play alongside - or replace - Brown.

Earlier this week, the triple premiership star did not rule out retiring at the end of the season.

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Brown has been named in an extended 25-man squad for Sunday's clash with Port Adelaide after missing last week's win over Melbourne with a hip injury.

Brown got through Thursday's training session at Yeronga with no problems and was happy with how he pulled up after working in the main group.

Brisbane will monitor Brown's condition this morning and finalise their  22-man squad on Friday.

Brent Moloney, Mitch Golby and Jack Crisp have been added to the squad alongside Brown while Pearce Hanley (broken hand) is the only omission so far for the trip to AAMI Stadium.

Johnson said if Brown wants to play on in 2014, he will automatically be offered a contract but the club would continue their  search for a long-term substitute.

"It is entirely Browny's decision. If he feels both physically and mentally right to play for another year, there is no better judge than him,'' Johnson said.

"I'd love to see him running around again. If he wants to play then it means his body is right and he is ready to go and both the board and the club would support that.

"In an ideal world, I'd like to see him play alongside either a player from our current list or someone we bring in from another club.

"Browny has carried the load for so long. It would be wonderful to see someone come in and take the opposition's No.1 defender from Browny. That would be a fantastic outcome.''

Johnson said Brisbane were beefing up their football department spending to fast-track the likes of young prospects Marco Paparone and Michael Close while the club will lean more heavily on the likes of Stefan Martin and Jordan Lisle.

Brisbane have indicated they will talk to GWS about the possibility of trading for the No.1 draft pick to snare wonderkid Tom Boyd. The Lions have also thrown their hat in the ring for Lance Franklin.

Johnson refused to name any potential targets but said the club would be very active in the off-season.

"We are very serious about it,'' he said.

"Rob Kerr (Brisbane's National Talent Manager) is on my speed dial.

"We had a list management meeting last week. We will look at the draft, at our current list and players from other clubs when it is appropriate.''