Brisbane list boss Dom Ambrogio admitted the club "weren't overly convincing" trying to keep Sam Marshall. The plan was building its draft hand, so it had to be flexible on depth players like Coleman and McLachlan "to hit this draft. You need to do that to manage your cap."
Kai Lohmann is now Brisbane's re-signing focus. He's loved it at the Lions, list boss Dom Ambrogio said, but: "I don't want to be overconfident. That doesn't usually work out too well. But look, he's a super player. They'll be interested in him, no doubt."
Brisbane's midfield succession will be decided by a senior coach the club has yet to name. "It will be the coach's call, whoever that is," list boss Dom Ambrogio said. Levi Ashcroft is "ready to step up", and James Tunstill is "looking to go inside more".
Jaspa Fletcher moving from half-back into Brisbane's midfield is "a viable option for whoever the new coach and his panel is to discuss," list boss Dom Ambrogio said. Darcy Wilmot could too. Dan Annable comes into the mix, and Bruce Reville "can come in and play wing."
Lincoln McCarthy is close to a 2027 deal with Brisbane. Dom Ambrogio said it took time as McCarthy had moved further from the club, so they worked through his pre-season and role. Keidean Coleman? "Contracted... not something we're looking to initiate," he said.
Sam Marshall has asked to be traded to St Kilda. Brisbane's Dom Ambrogio says the Lions tried to keep him and will facilitate the move, but want full value: "There's not many elite running 20-year-old premiership midfielders available in the draft."
Why Lachie Neale left for Collingwood, from Brisbane's Dom Ambrogio: "neither side saw the need to enter into a negotiation. It wasn't going to come to a meaningful conclusion." Will McLachlan, wanted by Melbourne and Essendon, is yet to decide; Ambrogio expects to hear soon.