Darcy Gardiner will be staying at Brisbane for the long run with the 27-year-old putting pen to paper on a new three-year deal to keep him at the club until the end of the 2025 season.
The defender was entering free agency upon the expiry of his contract this year, however, will turn his back on potential suitors to stay in Queensland.
Gardiner was a key part of the Lions' side that made it to a preliminary final this year, playing 21 games this season and being a stalwart in defence.
Drafted at Pick 22 in the 2013 National Draft, Gardiner has played 154 games at the top level, booting just five majors from his home in defence.
In 2022, the 27-year-old averaged 5.5 intercepts, 12.4 disposals and 4.4 marks per game, putting in a solid shift for Chris Fagan's side in their run to the penultimate week of September footy.
Gardiner said he was "stoked" about remaining at the Lions.
โI love being at the Brisbane Lions and to be staying for at least another three seasons is something I am stoked about,โ Gardiner said.
โWhen you have not only a great team on field but a great group of people at the Club it makes you really enjoy your time together.
โI am really looking forward to the future and hopefully we can achieve something really special.โ
Gardiner's new deal is a boost for the Lions, who will by all accounts be saying goodbye to Daniel McStay as he looks to head down south to Collingwood during trade week.
Additionally, youngster Devon Roberston might also be on the way to West Coast in order to make room for top target Josh Dunkley and star forward Jack Gunston.
All this is set to play out as coach Chris Fagan sits on the outer after stepping down from his coaching role over the recent Hawthorn racism scandal, casting doubts over who will be at the helm in 2023.
