Brisbane Lions AFL trade period 2023: Deven Robertson inks two-year extension, Tom Doedee signing

Young Brisbane mid-fielder Deven Robertson has knocked back a multi-year West Coast deal to recommit to the Lions’ premiership pursuit. All the trade news.

Adelaide defender Tom Doedee has nominated Brisbane as his preferred destination. Picture: Getty Images

Deven Robertson will remain a Brisbane Lion after knocking back serious interest from West Coast to stay in Queensland on a two-year deal.

The West Australian had been weighing up his future in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s grand final defeat to Collingwood but has recommitted to the Lions’ premiership pursuit after meeting with Chris Fagan and footy boss Danny Daly this week.

West Coast had tabled a multi-year deal to Robertson and Eagles list boss Rohan O’Brien spoke openly of the club’s desire to land the nephew of club great Darren Glass.

But ultimately the young midfielder preferred to remain at a club squarely in the premiership window.

Robertson, 22, had been seen as gettable by rival clubs after failing to lock down a place in a stacked Brisbane midfield in his first three seasons.

Deven Robertson signed a two-year extension. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty

But the No.22 selection in the 2019 draft featured in 16 games - including all three of Brisbane’s finals - in 2023.

He joins exciting forward Kai Lohmann in re-signing despite the lure of greater opportunity elsewhere.

It’s the second major pre-trade period win for the Lions, after in-demand Adelaide free agent Tom Doedee declared his desire to move to Brisbane earlier this week.

HOW DOEDEE MAKES LIONS BETTER

Brisbane co-captain Harris Andrews has hailed “outstanding footballer” Tom Doedee’s desire to join the club as a restricted free agent and believes the wantaway Crow will fit seamlessly into the Lions’ defensive system next season.

Andrews, 26, capped one of the most impressive individual seasons of his career by taking out his first Merrett-Murray Medal as the Lions’ fairest and best player for season 2023 on Wednesday night.

The key defender was asked how Doedee would slot into a back six that looked so settled with the emergence of Jack Payne and resurgence of veteran Ryan Lester as the key pillars alongside Andrews.

Harris Andrews won his first Merrett-Murray Medal on Wednesday night. Picture: John Gass

“It’s a great problem to have,” he said.

“Tom is an outstanding footballer and I’ve really admired his work from a distance.

“He’s going to fit in with our system really well. He has some really great attributes – his intercept marking is incredible and he’s just hard at it to be honest.

“A few of his contests … I reckon there was one against the Bombers a couple of years ago where he went back with the flight and that’s the sort of stuff we love at this footy club.

“Obviously he’s one the comeback trail from a knee reconstruction, but I’m really excited about what he can bring and looking forward to meeting him.”

Doedee was a player the Lions had eyes on for months and were able to beat out fellow grand finalists Collingwood for the intercept defender’s interest.

It continues a trend of star players from rival clubs choosing Brisbane over other destinations – something that for so many years was not the case.

Josh Dunkley, Joe Daniher and Charlie Cameron all spurned offers from elsewhere to land at the Lions and immediately became crucial pieces in Chris Fagan’s premiership plans.

Adelaide defender Tom Doedee has nominated Brisbane as his preferred destination. Picture: Getty Images

“The fact he’s said he wants to come here is really exciting and is a reflection of the culture we’ve driven at the footy club,” Andrews said.

“Guys want to come to our club and play with us.

“We’re really excited to get that (Doedee deal) done eventually.

“He’s a good player and I’m looking forward to him getting over and meeting up with him.”

The AFL free agency period begins on Friday and the Lions hope to confirm the Doedee move quickly.

Brisbane footy boss Danny Daly said on Wednesday he and Fagan would sit down with Dayne Zorko this week to begin discussions over his future.

The five-time club best and fairest winner is now off-contract and will turn 35 before the start of next season but flagged his desire to go around again during the finals series.

The Lions are also hopeful they can retain young midfielder Deven Robertson, who is being heavily pursued by West Coast.