Last season, the Lions were just one victory away from the VFL Grand Final, and this year, VFL Coach Ben Hudson and his team are hoping to improve even more.
“Adding players with VFL experience, such as Will Martyn, Ewan Macpherson, Jamison Shea, and Jake Lohmann, offers us another layer of depth across the park,” Hudson remarked.
It’s also fantastic to have a few guys from the previous season return, as it demonstrates how well the AFL and VFL programs are coming together as a team.
The 2023 Coates Talent League and 2023 VFL season saw six Lions Academy members advance to the VFL roster as a result of their strong performance.
“There are a lot of guys who came from our academy, and then we’ll have sort of the younger crop that gets their shot at VFL level, which speaks volumes about our academy/VFL link.”
The Lions Academy graduates Jack Manly, Liam Hude, Owen Collins, Brad McDonald, Billy Richardson, and Sam Marshall will all be joining the VFL team in 2024.
From the 2023 list, Tahj Abberley, Baily Gordon, Kyle Dunkley, Riley Greene, Zack Derksen, and Lockie Rayner are all back.
VFL Recruits for 2024
Lohmann Jake.
Jake Lohmann of the Sandringham Zebras, brother of AFL-listed Kai, played 15 VFL games in 2023 and will provide depth for the Lions along a number of lines.
“Jake is a versatile player who can play both up forward and down back, much like his brother, but he claims to be smarter and more attractive,” Hudson remarked.
“A mature player with a wealth of VFL experience; played almost every game for Sandringham last year.”
Macpherson, Ewan.
Macpherson comes to the Lions from the Footscray VFL team, where he was recently chosen to the VFL State Squad and played 44 games over three seasons with the Dogs.
“Over the past few seasons, Ewan has been a reliable player for Footscray. He possesses a mature physique, strong stamina, and the ability to play both forward and midfield.
“He gives our organization a deeper level of complexity.
How about Will Martyn?
After spending three years at Richmond on their AFL list, Martyn—a 2019 Lions NEAFL premiership player and a former member of the Lions Academy—returned to Queensland in 2023.
After playing for Richmond for a few years on the AFL list, Will is no longer an academy player.
He has a strong work ethic in addition to talent, which is why you can see why he was on an AFL list previously.
Ben Thomas.
A Maroochydore native, Thomas enters the list following a strong season competing for the Roos in the QAFL Senior Men’s division.
As a diminutive forward, he can kick goals and did rather well in the intra-club competitions.
“We will definitely benefit from his scoreboard influence over the year, but he’s just another outstanding young Sunshine Coast lad.”
Bailey Reeves.
Coming from the Finley Cats in the Victorian Football Association, Reeves has played a stint for Central Districts in the SANFL after graduating from the Gold Coast SUNS Academy.
“Bailey provides great depth for us with his endurance and outside run.
“He’s really enjoying training at this level, he’s come through the SANFL and Victorian football as well.”
Shea Jamison.
Shea arrived from Southport, having joined the Sharks from Footscray’s VFL team in 2019. He will add more VFL experience to the roster.
“Jamieson has participated in several Southport VFL games.
“He is an additional player that enhances our group’s expertise and adaptability.”
The 2024 Smithy’s VFL Season begins this Saturday at 1:05 p.m. when the Lions travel to Melbourne to play Essendon at the NEC Hanger.
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