THE RUCK merry-go-round has finally started to spin with Brisbane securing Geelong's Darcy Fort just an hour out from the deadline of the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period.

The Lions gave the Cats pick 50 and a future third-round selection in exchange for Fort and pick No.41.

Following the retirement of Archie Smith, the Lions have scoured the competition for options to support main man Oscar McInerney in the ruck and have landed on the 28-year-old.

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Fort, who stands 204cm, has played eight games in three seasons for Geelong, but none in 2021.

Behind McInerney, Brisbane has tried forward-ruck Tom Fullarton and also has untried youngsters Henry Smith and Kalin Lane on its list.

Lions list manager Dom Ambrogio said the club had kept a close eye on Fort since his days in the Geelong U18s, VFL and SANFL before being drafted to Geelong.

"Darcy has been one of the more dominant ruckmen in the VFL," he said.

"He has been unlucky with his timing in terms of getting senior opportunities, but when he has played at AFL level he's been very effective, including his performance against the Brisbane Lions in 2020.

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"We think he is a legitimate ruckman, but we are also confident he can help us out up forward and add flexibility to our squad.

"He's a strong mark and has shown he can go forward and kick a goal.

"So we think we're getting a good player but also a player of great character who will make a contribution to the culture of our footy club."