Five players delisted from Brisbane Lions after preliminary final exit

After their disappointing preliminary final defeat, the Brisbane Lions have informed five players they won’t be needed next season.

After their disappointing preliminary final defeat, the Brisbane Lions have informed five players they won’t be needed next season.

The Brisbane Lions have swung the axe after their preliminary final exit, with the club advising five players they will not be offered contracts next season.

The Lions suffered an 11.16 (82) to 6.6 (42) loss to the Geelong Cats on Saturday evening, denying the club of a rare home Grand Final at the Gabba.

Less than a week later, five players in Brisbane’s roster have been informed they won’t be required next season.

Sam Skinner, Matthew Eagles, Toby Wooller, Jacob Allison and Corey Lyons will need to find another home if they want to continue their AFL career next season.

Catch Fox Footy’s Grand Final Week coverage on Kayo. Stream all the latest news and insight right up until first bounce plus halftime and full-time analysis from the Fox Footy commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Eagles was the winner of Fox Footy reality television show “The Recruit” in 2016.

Sam Skinner of the Lions.

On Wednesday, Lions veteran Allen Christensen announced his retirement after 68 games with the club.

Christensen won a premiership at Geelong in 2011 before signing with Brisbane a few years later.

General Manager of Football David Noble said in a statement: “When we inform players they are not remaining with the club, it is difficult, when it is quality young men that have worked hard to improve and added to your culture and environment it is even more difficult.

“We wish all our departing players, their partners and their families good wishes and thank them sincerely for their efforts.”

Unfortunately, six players will be departing the Den in 2020.

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) October 23, 2020

Lions were likely to delist Cox, who couldn't break into senior side. He's heading home to WA and is keen to get to Freo or West Coast to continue his career if he can.

— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) October 23, 2020

READ MORE: What time does the AFL Grand Final start?

Meanwhile, Lions young gun Cedric Cox has requested a trade to his home state of Western Australia.

After he was selected as Pick 24 in the 2016 draft, Cox played eight games in his debut season, but has only been chosen for five games in the three years since.

The 23-year-old didn’t play a single match in the 2020 premiership.