A family induction day at the Gabba saw the Lions rookies surrounded by parents, brothers and sisters, all mingling with the likes of coach Michael Voss and chief executive, Michael Bowers.
Player welfare manager, and former Brisbane midfielder, Craig Lambert says they are trying to fast track the players’ development.
“The more care and support we can give them early, the more chance they feel like there’s an attachment to the club and they don’t want to go back to their home state,” Lambert said.
Jack Redden, an 18-year-old midfielder recruited in last year’s draft, has uprooted from Keith, a tiny township of 1000 people south east of Adelaide.
“His whole family misses him,” his mum Robin said.
“But he’s doing really well and we talk often on the phone and the club’s been absolutely fantastic with regards to letting us know how things are going, which is just wonderful because you feel much more secure about his future.”
Lambert places a major emphasis on welfare for the teenagers, so much so that Redden lives with the Lambert family.
“I’ve just got to watch out, my 13-year-old daughter’s got a crush on him so I’m a bit worried about that,” Lambert said.
“But he’s been fantastic, he’s got great manners, which is a credit to his parents, and he’s training really well, his diet’s perfect, he gets an opportunity to play tomorrow night, we couldn’t fault him.
“I don’t really know much about the kids in regard to their football talent, but I do try and gauge early with these kids once they get to the club just how hard they want to work. The type of character they want to aspire to be. And if they get that right, they tend to be the footballers they should be.”
Redden never expected to be picked up as high as No.25 in the national draft. He was the Lions second choice behind Daniel Rich (No.7).
“I’m over the moon,” Redden said.
“It’s a good opportunity to get a gig tomorrow night. It’s a weird feeling, it hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I can’t wait.”
And the whole family will be watching.
“It’s very exciting,” Robin said.
“It’s something you just dream of I suppose. The little old town of Keith is just humming at the moment.”
