When Sam Day discovered his career at Gold Coast was "in limbo" heading into the off-season, he knew that he had plenty more to give at AFL.

The Suns eyed Adelaide swingman Elliot Himmelberg as an unrestricted free agent, while the new-look forward line of Ben King, Jed Walter and Mac Andrew ran shivers down the opposition's spines.

And then there are the depth options, with 'unicorn' Ethan Read and young ruck Ned Moyle still waiting in their wings for their consistent shot at the big time.

And as for Day, the writing quickly revealed itself on the wall.

PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - APRIL 14: Sam Day of the Suns looks to pass the ball during the round four AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)

However, as one door closes, another one opens as cross-town rivals Brisbane needed to fill the near-impossible void of the retired Joe Daniher, who, in typical fashion, left the AFL world in his own way: on top of the mountain at the peak of his powers.

Nevertheless, the AFL's newly minted champions were scrambling the country for a like-for-like replacement, albeit limited by their draft capital that would be enveloped by incoming academy stars Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall.

Enter Day, whose delisting from Gold Coast made him a low-cost, high-potential prospect that could help fill the Daniher chasm.

"Joey (Daniher) has moved on, so I have to thank him (for the opportunity) if I can find him... he's gone off-grid," Day quipped.

"Replace is an interesting word, but you can never replace 'Joey' because he was a pretty special athlete and footballer and much loved around the club.

"That forward-ruck role is there, and I have to make sure I have a really strong pre-season and then put my hand up to play for the majority of the year.

"I'm looking forward to being my own player and coming in and making the rest of the guys around me better."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Joe Daniher of the Lions celebrates after scoring a goal during the AFL Grand Final match between Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Day comes to the Lions with 14 seasons and 155 games of AFL experience under his belt.

However, the 32-year-old has added 18 matches over the past four campaigns due to persistent ankle, hip and leg issues, as well as the ongoing selection squeeze.

Day has reunited with former Suns teammate Callum Ah Chee while also reconnecting with Stuart Dew (Lions forward coach), after spending six seasons (2018-2023) as head coach of the Suns as well as physiotherapist Luke Licht.

The South Australian will help sure up a young forward line, headed by Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris, a duo that he has already taken a liken to.

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has trialled depth ruckman Darcy Fort in the position before, whilst Henry Smith and Brandon Ryan have also been exposed at the elite level.