Brisbane drafts Josh Clayton, son of former Fitzroy player and Gold Coast recruiter Scott Clayton

NEW Brisbane recruit Josh Clayton has been getting constructive criticism over his Cornflakes for as long as he can remember.

NEW Brisbane recruit Josh Clayton has been getting constructive criticism over his Cornflakes for as long as he can remember.

But the 18-year-old son of recruiting guru Scott Clayton would not have had it any other way.

SWANS’ PRIVATE ACADEMY BEARS FRUIT

The athletic, 190cm-tall midfielder joined Brisbane as a father-son selection yesterday courtesy of the 160 games that Clayton played for Fitzroy in the 1980s before going on be one of the most astute talent scouts in the AFL.

Clayton set the foundation of Brisbane’s premiership sides in the 1990s, turned the Doggies into flag contenders and built the Suns from the ground up as the club’s lists manager.

Josh said it was “pretty funny’’ that the Clayton clan would be divided at the next QClash but is grateful for the guiding hand provide by his father.

Josh and Scott Clayton at the AFL draft combine.

“It has always been pretty good to get feedback from Dad about my footy. It is always really honest feedback too.’’ he said.

“Throughout my whole junior career, he would tell me what I needed to improve on and what the standards for AFL players were.

“He knew what it took to make it in the AFL and I was always happy to take it on board.’’

Clayton played for Vic Metro this year as well as Sandringham in the TAC Cup under 18 competition.

Touted as a versatile player capable of playing as a lead-up forward, Clayton’s speed, aerial ability, agility and footy smarts have had him on Brisbane’s radar for some time.

Clayton trained with the Lions Academy squad last December and visited the Gabba again in January when he met childhood hero Simon Black.

“I was born in Brisbane and even though we moved back to Melbourne a few years later, I have always been a Lions supporter,’’ he said.

“Simon Black was one of my all-time favourite players. Just to have a five-minute chat with him was great. If I can be half the player he was, I’d be happy.’’

The Lions yesterday also secured Academy graduates Liam Dawson and Harris Andrews.

Josh Clayton in action for the Sandringham Dragons.

Richmond bid for the 188cm-tall tall utility Dawson while North Melbourne bid for the 198cm-tall key defender Andrews but Brisbane matched both bids and kept the highly rated Queenslanders in their home state.

Meanwhile, Brisbane and Collingwood made no progress in trade talks regarding Dayne Beams who did not attend the Magpies’ best-and-fairest presentation last weekend.

The Lions are prepared to offer extra picks in addition to no. 4 but no players. The Magpies have asked for Peace Hanley, Dayne Zorko, James Aish or Sam Mayes in addition to pick No.4.

“We had some discussions but we didn’t get too far,’’ Lions CEO Greg Swann said.

“We are happy to look at extra picks but we are not in the position to put our good players on the table.’’

Melbourne has dropped out of the running for Lions veteran Daniel Merrett while the Suns have indicated some interest in the defender.

Gold Coast has told Port Adelaide that ruckman Daniel Gorringe is a required player for next year while the Suns are confident of landing Swans star Nick Malceski.

In other Trade Period news yesterday, Collingwood recruited key forward Darcy Moore — the son of club great Peter — committing to pick no. 8 with a father-son selection.

Ex-Melbourne star James Frawley officially joined Hawthorn.

Originally published as Brisbane drafts Josh Clayton, son of former Fitzroy player and Gold Coast recruiter Scott Clayton