Get more Queenslanders!

[Gordon Nöel]

I believe that if the Lions are to capture the hearts and minds of the Brisbane and Queensland population, we need more locals in the team!

We have too many recruits come up here, spend a season or two enjoying the Queensland weather, and then pee off back to Victoria. It doesn't do much for our credibility.

We need lads playing for us who WANT to represent their HOME STATE.

[Lionsrock_15_26]

i think we all defintely agree that the lions need more queenslanders - and we shouldn't be letting them go (ie; stevie). but, we've got one back - mal michael, and jamie charan (i can't spell his name), additionally a majority of the rookies are queenslanders so perhaps the recruiters are finally starting to see the advantages of recuiting home grown talents.
cheers
lionsrock 2001

[InTheBack!]

The turnover rate is higher for Sydney & the Lions than say Essendon. However there are a lot of interstate players that came when they were very young & have remained loyal. Look at Leppa - who turned down bigger money offers to play of St K (losers).

Anyway I think it not a matter of having locals, but picking players who are mature enough to handle being away from mummy.

I couldnt believe the Molloy comments about Brisbane when he went to the Pies. "Oh it was so nice & warm up there I got lazy & just wanted to play golf"!! Excuses excuses

[joshhem]

Personally I don't think it matters......noone ever hears about where they came from and If we are told we just ignore it.

[Gordon Nöel]

Josh, don't you think us Queenslanders would feel more 'ownership' of the club if the team was predominantly made up of local lads?

[joshhem]

But there are two sides to that coin, cause there always has been complaints from the Southerners, because remember they own half of our club since it is a merger.

I think the QLDers will come, but lets not push it, cause there could be a bit of hostility with Fitzroy.

[Denno]

Not from me Josh - and I'm an old Fitzroy boy. You can't have your cake and eat it too, however. To be competitive (and a force), we need to recruit the best players from ANYWHERE. We can't just exclusively recruit from the QSFL (?) for the sake of having Queenslanders - we will go backwards. I'm not bagging the league - but theres no doubt that it needs to get a lot stronger to be an effective breeding ground consistently for the AFL. Sure, QLD players got drafted this year, but still not all that many compared to other states. Its simply got to take time - but in my view the Lions are heading in the right direction.

[Beausgirl43]

We have Luke Weller, he's a Queenslander.
YEAH. And he's a champion, and fast becoming a big fave of mine and keating's gal. ONYA LUKE, BEST OF LUCK FOR THIS SEASON.
cheers...

[Roylion]

I agree Denno, in the end-of season and pre-season drafts the Lions must recruit the best player available, no matter where they come from. If the best players are in Queensland, then so be it. The rookie system as it stands now appears to be giving more Queensland footballers a taste of AFL with the Lions recruiting mostly Queensland players. If they're good enough to be put on the senior list they'll get there.

I'd hate to see the Lions pass over a highly credentialled player or one that has huge potential, purely to recruit a slightly lesser player because he comes from Queensland and is supposedly less likely to leave the club at some point in the future. Brett Voss is a Queenslander isn't he? And doesn't Stevie Lawrence's family live in Queensland?

[Beausgirl43]

Go Queensland.
cheers...