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.
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.
Another option involving a player currently under contract, with Riccardi signed at GWS until the end of the 2026 season.
The 198cm forward found himself unable to break back into the forward line under Adam Kingsley for the club's September series after overcoming finger surgery, with veteran Lachie Keeffe holding his place ahead of Riccardi in the queue.
With Coleman Medal winner Jesse Hogan, former Pick 1 selection Aaron Cadman and breakout forward Callum Brown also looking to fill spots in the Giants' front half, Riccardi could find some appeal in the thought of leading the Lions' attacking unit alongside Hipwood.
Much like Daniher was able to this year at Brisbane, Riccardi can offer a pinch-hitting ruck role while rotating as a forward half threat.
A bargain option for Brisbane to consider, with Membrey an unrestricted free agent in 2024 who is able to walk to a club of his choosing this off-season.
Membrey booted 30 goals in 2024 - the second most at St Kilda this year and the most among the club's key forward options, with the veteran likely to be on an AFL list next year, whether that be at Moorabbin or elsewhere.
At the very least, Membrey could be an immediate playing option as the Lions assess their forward structure over the next 12 months, with the 30-year-old bringing 179 games of experience that has earned him a return of 293 goals across his career.
While Membrey won't cost the Lions any trade capital and will have little impact on their salary cap plans, the downside will be that Brisbane lose 13cms in height between he and Daniher.
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.
Another cheap option that will at least allow the Lions to shift some of their salary and make a more desirable move next year, avoiding any rushed trade to find a big-name player to replace Daniher in 2024.
Kreuger is off-contract and could land at Brisbane as a delisted free agent, or at the very least in a trade deal that would see the Lions part with a late draft pick.
The Collingwood tall can play across all three lines of the field, having shown an ability to feature as an athletic forward target who can also hold a role in the ruck.
Potentially needing to find a third AFL club, the ex-Geelong recruit might be an astute bargain buy for Brisbane.