THE BRISBANE Lions hope the bloodlines of some of their greatest players will help the club's long-term regeneration.

Names like Voss, Bradshaw and Johnson returned to the Lions this week as the sons of former champions spent time at the club training with the academy squad. 

The club hopes some of the youngsters might develop into genuine father-son prospects and add to the Lions' pool of young talent.

Michael Voss' son Casey, aged 17; Daniel Bradshaw's son Jake, 17; and Chris Johnson's sons Lachlan, 16, and Preston, 14, were among the prospects to visit Lions headquarters this week. 

The boys trained with the club's academy squad and had the chance to tour the facilities as well as meeting the Lions' senior players. 

Lions academy manager Luke Curran said it was important the club maintained its ties with its champion players.

"We're really excited to have the boys up, especially given their strong connections with the Brisbane Lions, Bears and Fitzroy," Curran told the Lions' website. 

"We'll track their progress over the next year or so and see how they progress and develop from there."

Nick Blakey, the son of former Fitzroy and North Melbourne player John, starred at last year's NAB AFL Under-16 Championships and is eligible to be selected in the 2018 draft.

The midfielder, a member of the AFL's level one academy, is eligible to be selected by both the Roos and Lions as a father-son prospect. 

Blakey jnr is also available to the Sydney Swans under academy rules, given he has lived there for more than five years while his father has been a long-time assistant with the Bloods. 

Across the past three national drafts, the Lions have taken six players tied to their academy, including Jono Freeman, Harris Andrews, Ben Keays, Eric Hipwood and 2016 draftee Jacob Allison. 

The Lions are also set to add promising key forward prospect Connor Ballenden from their academy at the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, potentially as a top-10 selection. 

Lions father-son prospects

Lachlan Harris (aged 18) – son of Leon: 186 games with Fitzroy

Jake Bradshaw (17) – son of Daniel: 222 games with Brisbane Bears/Lions

Nick Blakey (17) – son of John: 135 games with Fitzroy

Casey Voss (17) – son of Michael: 289 games with Brisbane Bears/Lions
James Rendell (17) – son of Matthew: 177 games with Fitzroy/Brisbane Bears
Lachlan (16) and Preston Johnson (14) – son of Chris: 264 games with Fitzroy/Brisbane Lions