AFL 2020: Brisbane Lions rookies move in with star teammates

They’ve come from all over the country, and now the Lions’ newest recruits are getting used to Brisbane by moving in with some of the club’s biggest stars. Check out who lives with who here.

Deven Robertson is living with – and learning from – Brisbane’s best.

The Lions’ top pick from last month’s AFL Draft is boarding with 2019 club champion and third-place getter at the Brownlow Medal Lachie Neale and his wife Julie as he settles in to life in Brisbane.

Fellow draftees Jaxon Prior (Darcy Gardiner), Keidean Coleman (Mitch Robinson) and Brock Smith (Sam Skinner) have also been placed with senior players but Robertson said he’s hit a “bargain”.

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“He’s (Neale) got a pretty nice house and his wonderful wife Jules is looking after us really well,’’ Robertson said.

The Lions swooped on Robertson with pick No.22 on the second night of the draft in Melbourne after the midfielder was a surprise slider out of the first round.

Lions recruits Deven Robertson, Keidean Coleman, Brock Smith and Jaxon Prior. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

He had won the Larke Medal for the best player at the national under 18 championships where he was captain of the WA side that won the title.

Robertson has already impressed Lions coaches, officials and players with his maturity, professionalism and skill at stoppages.

All qualities that will only be enhanced by being at close quarters with Neale for the next few months.

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“Training had finished and I found him watching some vision in the computer area so I sat down with him for about half an hour and watched one of his games,’’ Robertson said of Neale.

“He was talking me through what he was thinking at the time and what he could have done better … and some little tricks around the stoppages he likes to use.

“So that’s already been really valuable for my midfield craft. Seeing how he goes about things at home is really valuable as well.’’

Lachie and Jules Neale have taken Deven Robertson into their home. Picture: AAP Image/Attila Csaszar

Robertson – a nephew of former West Coast captain Darren Glass – spoke on draft night about having a point to prove to the clubs that overlooked him in the first round.

But he said there was no point carrying that chip on his shoulder.

“To be honest, I don’t think it (draft pick number) matters too much. Probably at the time I was in that mindset. As soon as your name is called out, you don’t even think about what number it was,’’ Robertson said.

“Jaxon, who went later in the draft, there’s no hierarchy between him and me. We are at the same level.

Deven Robertson, Jaxon Prior, Brock Smith and Keidean Coleman at Leyshon Park. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“Numbers don’t matter in the end. We are here now and that’s all that matters.

“Already the boys have been really welcoming. Training has been tough but really good.

“I’ll be trying my best and if I play some (senior) games, that’s great but I understand the midfield will be very hard to crack and I have to spend some time in the NEAFL, that’s fine as well.’’

Robertson is almost completely recovered from a shoulder injury and will start full contact work after Christmas. Brisbane’s new players and their families will have an induction weekend over the next two days.