Brisbane could deploy new draft star Levi Ashcroft in attack to start his AFL career, but a vacancy in Chris Fagan's best 23 will be hard to come by as the Lions prepare for their premiership defence.
The Lions took Ashcroft fifth overall in this week's AFL Draft before adding Academy pair Sam Marshall (Pick 25) and Ty Gallop (Pick 42) later in the national count, while ex-Gold Coast veteran Sam Day secured a career lifeline in the Queensland capital via the Pre-Season Draft on Friday.
The club's latest father-son selection will look to follow in the footsteps of older brother Will, who had a starring rookie season with the Lions before taking out the Norm Smith Medal in September's mauling of Sydney on the biggest stage.
Excited to get to work with his older brother once again, Ashcroft is keen to prove his value in a midfield pack that also consists of Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley.
With an Opening Round debut circled on his calendar, the teenager is hoping to put his "best foot forward" from day one in a bid to make his debut against Geelong in early March.
"I'll be learning a lot next year with Lachie, Dunks, Hugh and Will, it's an exciting time for the club and what we're building," he said.
"[Will and I] have competed against each other all our lives and it's always good to have a bit of healthy competition.
"It's going to be nice to be with him and hopefully build a bit of a dynasty or a good few years with the Lions.
"That midfield, those three guys in Hugh, Lachie and Dunks, to be around those guys is going to be very special for me and I can learn so much from what they do on and off the field.
"I'm looking forward to putting my best foot forward in the pre-season and hopefully the coaches see I should be in that team. That's going to be a goal of mine.
"Hopefully [my debut] is against Geelong in Round 0, but if not I'll just keep building."
Ashcroft made a name for himself as a 15-year-old with the Sandringham Dragons, holding down a role in the club's first of three successive premierships more than two years out from his draft date.
The Old Brighton product featured in all three flags for the Lions, having matured from an intelligent forward threat to a bonafide ball winner at the heart of the Dragons' engine room.
Much like his rise through the Talent League, the Lions could use Ashcroft as a forward before opening up a role in their midfield further down the road.
"He's just an exciting player, we're just jubilant to put him onto the list," Brisbane recruiter Steve Conole said.
"Where he plays and when he plays will be up to the coaches and match committee and how he goes through pre-season. There's no ceiling on him, we're just really excited to get him into the club.
"I think [a half-forward role] is probably his starting AFL role. He started there as a state 16 (player) and his bottom age at the Dragons. He was really clever and smart player, and I see no reason why he won't start there.
"But saying that, he's shown his midfield craft for a couple of years as well, so we'll see where that finishes from where he starts and when he commences his senior AFL footy."
Brisbanes pre-season gets underway this month as the club plans to defend their fourth AFL premiership.
