Jaspa Fletcher signs four-year contract extension with Brisbane Lions

His father Adrian moved around during his AFL career, but young star Jaspa Fletcher only wants to play for the Brisbane Lions.

Emerging star Jaspa Fletcher has declared his intention to be a Lion for life after signing a contract extension that will keep him in Brisbane at least until the end of 2030.

Fletcher, 21, was already under contract for next season and jumped at the chance to lengthen his stay with the reigning premiers when offered a further four-year deal.

“I just wanted to commit to the club,” the son of former Bears, Lions, Geelong, St Kilda and Fremantle player Adrian Fletcher said.

“They’ve given so much to me. I’ve been through the academy up here, my dad’s played up here as well, and for the chance to commit long term, I thought that was a no-brainer for me.

“I’d love to be a one-club player. I know my dad’s been at a few, but I’d like to have the edge over him in that, and to be at this club and be a one-club player here would be an absolute honour.

“It’s been my dream to run out at the Gabba since I was a little boy, so to be able to continue to do that, I’m over the moon.”

Jaspa Fletcher is delighted to continue his career long term at the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The No.12 pick in the 2022 draft, Fletcher hasn’t missed a game for Brisbane since making his AFL debut in the Lions’ 16-point win over Sydney on June 16, 2023.

However, despite the consistency in selection, playing in two successive grand finals, and winning a premiership last season, Fletcher admitted he wasn’t entirely pleased with his form in 2024.

“I’ve been pretty open about it. I didn’t have a year that I was quite happy with,” he said.

“I know as a team, I was super stoked to go there and hold the (premiership) cup up, but for me personally, I thought I could add a little bit more, and in the off-season, I got to work on things that I think are my strengths but also where I need to grow.”

The work has paid off, with the versatile Fletcher having consistently been one of Brisbane’s best performers in the club’s bid to secure back-to-back premierships.

“I obviously want to continually get better at it, but I’ve been able to have a bit more impact this year,” he said.

Having played his junior football as an inside midfielder, Fletcher has this season shown his class in a variety of positions.

“I just want to play wherever the team needs me. If that’s on the wing, if that’s down half-back, or if that’s up forward or in the middle, I’ll do whatever it takes to put my best foot forward and play my role in the team,” he said.

Lions football manager Danny Daly said Fletcher also had the qualities to be a “future leader” of the club.

Jaspa Fletcher is congratulated by fans after Brisbane’s win over Richmond at the MCG in April. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

A similar leadership endorsement for Fletcher has come previously from Lions co-captain and two-time Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale, who tipped his teammate to eventually become Brisbane’s skipper.

“I was honoured when I heard Lachie say that. If that’s the case, I’ll be super stoked and happy to take that role on-board, but at the same time, I know we’ve got a lot of great young leaders here, and Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley do a great job as vice-captains as well,” said Fletcher, who has previously captained the under-18 Allies team.

“We’ve got some great people at the club that can help me with (leadership), and I’ll be looking to pick up what the other boys have experienced as leaders.”

The second-placed Lions can maintain the pressure on leaders Collingwood with a win over Gold Coast in Saturday’s QClash at People First Stadium.

“They (the Suns) have been playing some really good footy too, and they’re in the hunt for the finals, as a lot of teams are at the moment, and every QClash is a real contest,” Fletcher said.

“We know they’ll play their great footy and their brand at the moment, and we’re looking forward to the opportunity.”

Originally published as Jaspa Fletcher signs four-year contract extension with Brisbane Lions