They were the group recruited to take the Brisbane Lions to a premiership under Michael Voss. The rest is (pretty sad) history. Brent Staker became the final member of the six to move on from the Lions, announcing his retirement this week. So, where are the rest of them now?
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Brendan Fevola
The blockbuster trade of the 2009 off-season turned out to be close to the biggest bust of all time. Fevola played 17 games in 2010, for 48 goals. A solid return. But it all went very publicly downhill after that.The ex-AFL spearhead has been playing football in Yarrawonga in country Victoria for the past three years, as well as making brief cameos at various sides along the way. He is on the verge of a return to Melbourne to be closer to his family, with Western Region Football League reportedly interested in the 34-year-old.
Amon Buchanan
The 2005 Sydney Swans premiership player managed just 18 games over three seasons with the Brisbane Lions. He won a premiership with the Lions reserves in 2012 but retired at the end of that season. Post-retirement, Buchanan became a playing assistant coach with the NEAFL's Sydney Hills Eagles and a Sydney Swans Academy coach. The GWS Giants appointed him as development coach at the end of 2013.
Xavier Clarke
One of my favourite photos from the weekend. Pre game talk & the boys from Maningrida school joined in. #bigdreams pic.twitter.com/gVmGGHUqZP — Xavier Clarke (@xclarke15) August 24, 2015
Even Xavier Clarke can see the funny side of his brief Lions stint. His Twitter bio reads: "Former saints (105) & lions (10mins) now Head Coach of NT Thunder." He played just one game for the Lions once he was traded from St Kilda. A knee reconstruction wiped out his 2011 season and ultimately ended his career. After a job helping develop young Indigenous footballers with the AFL, Clarke was appointed in the Top End for the 2014 season and took the NEAFL side to a third-placed finish. The Thunder is second ahead of the competition's finals.
Matt Maguire
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Maguire was the most successful of the experienced group, playing 71 games for the Lions over the six seasons. Injury spelled the end of his career, though, with the defender calling time because of the long-term effects of repeated concussions.
Brent Staker
Brent Staker will be the last to sever his Lions ties, after an injury-riddled tenure at the club. The 34-year-old announced his retirement to teammates on Wednesday, after 50 games with the Lions. Back-to-back knee reconstructions ended his 2011 and 2012 seasons early and he was plagued by more knee and calf problems in recent years. He will play out the season, most probably in the NEAFL.
Andrew Raines
Brisbane delisted Andrew Raines in 2014 but he was given a lifeline by the Gold Coast Suns as a mature-age rookie. Struggled to find a place in Brisbane, mainly playing as a tagger. He headed down the coast with the view of topping up their reserves stocks but a catastrophic injury toll meant he has played six senior games this season. Raines announced his retirement on Friday.
