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.
4. Peter Ladhams
More of a ruck-forward target the Lions could look to bring north, with Ladhams' chances of a spot in Sydney's senior side remaining an uncertainty given Brodie Grundy's reign.
Ladhams is a viable key position player who can slot into a forward role and offer value as a secondary ruckman, filling the gap that Daniher leaves as Oscar McInerney's right-hand man.
Unable to break into the AFL side on more than one occasion in 2024 and having played just 21 games over three years as a Swan, Ladhams is unlikely to demand much in a trade deal.
His best performances at the top level came during his days with Port Adelaide, where he was able to have an impact as a backup ruck option who could contribute on the attacking end.
