Reigning AFL premiers Brisbane are set to be stronger in 2026 with the acquisition of two key position players from rival AFL clubs.
The Lions - who are a premiership contender this season - are expected to sign West Coast captain Oscar Allen and Essendon ruckman Sam Draper via free agency.
Eagles skipper Allen is out of contract at the end of the campaign and has been widely tipped to leave the club with a new deal in the west not looking like an option.
Allen kicked 53 goals for West Coast in 2023 but has struggled with a number of different injuries across the past two seasons, including being ruled out of 2025 with an Achilles issue.
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Draper has been first-choice Essendon ruckman in recent years but spent time up forward in 2025 with the Bombers short in attack, before also having his season ended by an Achilles injury.
"Oscar Allen, who is a near-certainty now to sign with Brisbane, is going to be joined by Sam Draper," journalist Caroline Wilson said on the Agenda Setters.
Along with signing two seasoned AFL players, the Lions are also expected to draft Next Generation Academy star Dan Annable in the top five, despite being a flag contender.
Brisbane have been giving a significant helping hand by draft rules in recent years with father-son selections Will and Levi Ashcroft becoming integral players, while talented midfielder Sam Marshall come out of their academy in the previous draft.
The Lions could be set to lose out-of-contract premiership defender Brandon Starcevich to free agency and wouldn't receive any compensation if Allen or Draper arrive.
West Coast are one of the club's interested in Western Australian native Starcevich, but could also dilute their free agency compensation for Allen - which would likely be pick no.2 - if the Lions defender joins their club.