Jarryd Lyons

Recruited by Adelaide with pick 61 in the 2010 National Draft, Jarryd Lyons spent his formative years battling for a permanent spot within a star-studded Crows midfield. While he displayed strong form in the SANFL, he often found himself on the fringe of senior selection, eventually requesting a trade to Gold Coast in late 2016 to seek greater opportunity. Lyons flourished statistically at the Suns, averaging high disposal numbers and proving his worth as a contest specialist. However, in one of the more perplexing list management decisions of the modern era, Gold Coast delisted him with a year remaining on his contract, allowing the Brisbane Lions to sign him for nothing as a delisted free agent ahead of the 2019 season.

This acquisition proved to be a masterstroke for Brisbane, as Lyons evolved into one of the competition's most effective inside midfielders. Renowned for his clean hands, stoppage craft, and ability to extract the ball from congestion, he formed a dominant partnership with Lachie Neale and played a pivotal role in propelling the Lions from the bottom of the ladder into consistent premiership contention. A dual top-three finisher in the Merrett-Murray Medal, Lyons eventually transitioned into a veteran mentorship role as the club's midfield depth improved with the arrival of Josh Dunkley and Will Ashcroft. He retired at the conclusion of the 2024 season, bowing out as a highly respected figure who extracted the absolute maximum from his career.