Leuenberger, 23, Rich, 21, and Harwood, 20, have all agreed to new two-year contracts, while first-year players Karnezis, 19, and Polec, 18, have both signed one-year extensions.
Lions General Manager - Football Operations, Dean Warren, said the willingness of the players to grow together as a group was an exciting prospect for all involved with the Club.
“It really is tremendous news, not only for the Club, but also for all Lions members, supporters and our partners,” said Warren.
“There’s no doubt that this group of players are exceptionally talented and a core part of our playing list. But they are also fine young men and will continue to play a big part in the development of the team and Club’s culture into the future. We have a very young list, one that is developing and growing together, but we remain confident in the direction that we’re heading.”
What the players said…
Matthew Leuenberger: “I can see a lot of promising signs within this footy Club. We’ve got some really good young kids and I can sense that, with what Vossy’s (Senior Coach Michael Voss) doing and the way he’s got the group going forward, I don’t think we can help ourselves but be successful in the near future. To me, that’s exciting, it’s something I want to be a part of.”
Daniel Rich: “We’ve got a good, young team that if we can all stick together and work hard, success will come. The Club’s moving ahead, not only in footy, but in other areas as well. Brisbane is where I want to be. It’s a great city and I’m confident I can get the most out of my football here."
Ryan Harwood: “The Brisbane Lions are a great club. I’ve learned a lot from the Lions so far and I’d really like to play out the rest of my career here. It’s very exciting having this young group here - if we continue to work hard, our time’s going to come eventually, it’s just a matter of when and I can’t wait to be a part of it when it does.”
Patrick Karnezis: “It is so exciting to be here. When I arrived, the way the players and coaches welcomed me with open arms just showed me straight away that this was a good place to be. Off field, the culture is second to none, and on field, even though the win-loss ratio isn’t ideal, I’m really happy with the way things are developing. To be coached under Michael Voss is amazing. The knowledge base he has about football is unbelievable. We’ve got a very bright future ahead of us under Vossy.”
Jared Polec: “Everyone at the Club has been so welcoming in my first year. We’ve got some young guys here and we’ve got to tidy up a couple of things, absolutely, but when we do we’ve got the potential to be a great team. Vossy and the coaching staff are fantastic - I’m working really closely with them, trying to get some aspects of my game right. I’m really proud and happy to be staying here at the Lions.”
PLAYER BIOGRAPHIES
MATTHEW LEUENBERGER
DOB: 7 June 1988
Recruited From: East Perth (WA)
Draft Details: Pick No.4 - 2006 AFL National Draft
Guernsey No: 23
Height: 204cm
Weight: 102kg
AFL Matches: 60
AFL Goals: 7
Career Highlights
AIS-AFL Academy Graduate 2005
Western Australia U18 Representative 2006
All Australian U18 2006
AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match All-Stars Squad 2007
9th Lions Best & Fairest 2010
DANIEL RICH
DOB: 7 June 1990
Recruited From: Subiaco (WA)
Draft Details: Pick No.7 - 2008 AFL National Draft
Guernsey No: 10
Height: 183cm
Weight: 84kg
AFL Matches: 59
AFL Goals: 32
AFL Finals: 2
Career Highlights
AIS-AFL Academy Graduate 2007
Subiaco Premiership Player 2007, 2008
Western Australia U18 Representative 2007, 2008
Western Australia U18 Captain 2008
All Australian U18 2007, 2008
AFL Rising Star Nomination 2009
AFL Rising Star Award 2009
AFLPA Best First Year Player 2009
Lions Rookie of the Year 2009
6th Lions Best & Fairest 2009
8th Lions Best & Fairest 2010
RYAN HARWOOD
DOB: 8 July 1991
Recruited From: Glenorchy (TAS)
Draft Details: Pick No.47 - 2009 AFL National Draft
Guernsey No: 26
Height: 183cm
Weight: 81kg
AFL Matches: 12
AFL Goals: 4
Career Highlights
AIS-AFL Academy Graduate 2009
Tasmania U18 Representative 2009
All Australian U18 2009
PATRICK KARNEZIS
DOB: 23 April 1992
Recruited From: Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
Draft Details: Pick No.25 - 2010 AFL National Draft
Guernsey No: 28
Height: 191cm
Weight: 80kg
AFL Matches: 5
AFL Goals: 9
Career Highlights
Victoria Metro U18 Representative 2010
JARED POLEC
DOB: 12 October 1992
Recruited From: Woodville-West Torrens (SA)
Draft Details: Pick No.5 - 2010 AFL National Draft
Guernsey No: 4
Height: 189cm
Weight: 80kg
AFL Matches: 3
AFL Goals: 1
Career Highlights
South Australia U18 Representative 2010
All Australian U18 2010
