LUKE Hodge isn't even in Brisbane yet, but the Lions players are buzzing about his acquisition.

Young leader Harris Andrews and fellow Queenslander Jacob Allison both raved about the ex-Hawthorn skipper's addition to their squad at the club's first pre-season training session at Yeronga on Monday morning.

"I was Hawthorn supporter growing up and so was dad, so dad's a bit jealous at the moment," Allison laughed.

"I'm really happy and can't wait to learn off him.

"When the text came through that he was thinking about it I was shocked but also ecstatic.

"I still can't believe it's happening and I'm stoked for the club. I can't wait to learn off him and ask as many questions as I can."

Hodge and the rest of the Lions players with five years' experience or more will begin their pre-season on November 20.

Andrews, 20, described it as a "coup" to get the four-time premiership player.

"Just his ability to direct on ground is going to be fantastic," he said.

"(He's) certainly going to benefit guys like myself and Alex Witherden and Darcy Gardiner.

"Just being able to go to him and see what he thinks about things, whether that's on field or off field, it's going to be huge.
"The fact that someone who's played so much football in a successful team in Melbourne wants to come up to Brisbane and continue their career and help us young guys develop is huge."

While the young group was excited to add Hodge and former Adelaide small forward Charlie Cameron during last month's NAB AFL Trade Period, the Lions also lost former No.2 draft pick Josh Schache to the Western Bulldogs.

Andrews was blunt in his assessment of the 20-year-old requesting a trade back to Victoria.

"It's sad to see 'Shack' go, best of luck to him, he's going to enjoy it at home with his family and I'm sure he's going to have a good career, but it's good to have guys that want to be up here and work hard for the team.

"So many guys re-signed last year and everyone's got this belief that we're going in the right direction."