The decision from Brisbane star Joe Daniher to call time on his career following the Lions' premiership-winning season has left the club to weigh up whether to make a splash of their own this off-season in a bid to replace their 2023 and 2024 leading goalkicker in the trade period.
Daniher's exit opens a large hole in Chris Fagan's front half, with the sharpshooting veteran booting 58 goals and assisting a further 16 this year alone.
Rookie Logan Morris rose to the occasion in his first year at AFL level, while Eric Hipwood has proven to be a threat, but both players are likely to require a third attacking teammate to aid their flag defence.
The Lions have ex-Hawthorn tall Brandon Ryan and youngster Luke Lloyd waiting in the wings, while key defender Darcy Gardiner could again be swung forward to play a role in Fagan's forward line.
Those options won't come close to filling Daniher's shoes however, with Brisbane potentially looking to the open market given the near-seven-figure gap in their salary cap that has now opened.
We take a look at five players Brisbane could target to replace Daniher this off-season.
1. Tom Lynch
We'll get the left-field and aggressive option out of the way first, with the Lions at least needing to ask the question of the Richmond premiership star.
The Tigers are officially hitting the big red 'rebuild' button this off-season and are placing a focus on the draft, with Richmond set to exit the trade and free agency window equipped with an arsenal of picks not seen in the past decade.
Brisbane are keen to part with their opening draft selection - currently sitting at Pick 18 - in order to stockpile later picks and match bids on club-tied prospects Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall.
A deal that sees the Lions gain Lynch and multiple late draft picks (the Tigers hold selections 41, 47, 57, 66, 72) while Richmond claim Pick 18 and further draft assets to satisfy both sides of the deal could be the avenue to take.
The Lions should be able to accommodate Lynch's salary price given the void opening in their books with Daniher's departure, while Richmond gain further access to the top end of this year's draft and aid their long-term plans.
