AFL 2024: Brisbane unsure whether it has the draft points for expected bids

Brisbane list boss Dom Ambrogio says the Lions are unsure whether they have accrued enough draft points for their two key targets as they try to engineer more pick swaps.

With a bid for Levi Ashcroft expected to land in the first three picks, and another on wingman Sam Marshall anticipated for later in the first round of the draft, Ambrogio said the Lions were eager to continue dealing to improve their draft hand.

He poured cold water on the prospect of fringe midfielder Deven Robertson leaving on the final day of the trade period, but confirmed the Lions had spoken to two clubs about the 23-year-old.

Ambrogio also said Brisbane would not rush to lock in an experienced forward-ruck replacement for Joe Daniher, as he said Gold Coast foundation player Sam Day was among a “number of guys we’ll speak to”.

“We’re not going to bring anyone in during this period – after the (draft) period, we’ll have a look at how we’re going to address that space,” Ambrogio told reporters on Wednesday.

“We’re open to all sorts of options, but it would make sense to (sign) someone who can play a bit of that (ruck) role.

“There’s no doubt that (Daniher) will be hard to replace, but Fages (coach Chris Fagan) is excited equally about the adaptation, and what a different look might bring.”

Ambrogio said it was “hard to say” whether Brisbane had done enough to be sure of having enough points to match bids for both Ashcroft and Marshall.

“We’re certainly going to keep looking to expand our hand, whether that’s more points this year, or future (picks). We’re open to any sort of opportunity to get up the order,” he said.

“We’re open to some pick swaps – we’re looking to thicken our hand a bit more, but I don’t think it requires the greatest investigative journalist to figure out what we’re trying to do.

“We’re just trying to fatten up our draft hand, so that will be all we’re doing.”

Ambrogio firmly denied that Brisbane had asked Richmond not to bid for Ashcroft with the No. 1 pick as a secret condition in a pick swap made with the Tigers earlier this week.

“No we didn’t (ask the Tigers not to bid) – that’s their business,” he said.

“It would make a difference (if a bid came at pick 1), but at the end of the day, it’s not in our hands. We’ve just got to prepare the best we can for all eventualities.”