In a timely shot in the arm for the Brisbane Lions, prized utility Brent Staker has signed on with the AFL club until “at least” the end of the 2015 season.
As the Lions launched an investigation into an off-season exodus, Staker, 29, resisted overtures from Carlton to put pen to paper with Brisbane.
During Brisbane’s boardroom dramas and uncertainty over their next coach Staker was courted by the Blues and even inspected their Princes Park facilities.
It sounded alarm bells for the Lions after losing Billy Longer (St Kilda), Jared Polec (Port Adelaide), Sam Docherty (Carlton), Elliot Yeo (West Coast) and Patrick Karnezis (Collingwood) reportedly to homesickness.
However, chairman Angus Johnson and challenger Paul Williams’ decision to end the boardroom stoush by falling on their swords and the subsequent signing of new coach Justin Leppitsch appear to have had a calming effect on the group most notably Staker.
Lions football manager Dean Warren could not hide his excitement over the retention of Staker who returned from consecutive knee reconstructions this season, playing 15 senior games in 2013 and kicking 21 goals.
“It’s a fantastic result for the club to have Brent around for a further two years,” Warren said.
“Brent provides a wealth of experience to our young group and is a fantastic character to have around the club.
“He was particularly important this year in his ability to play a role both up forward and down back when required.
“He has had a tough time with injury over the past few years but his resilience and determination has paid off.”