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The Ghost Who Walks
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Young guns Lohmann, Wilmot extend stay at Lions den
The Brisbane Lions have completed an impressive double signing to have young guns Darcy Wilmot and Kai Lohmann extend their time with the Club.
With plenty of excitement already surrounding the Lions ahead of Saturday night’s home Preliminary Final at The Gabba, it has been amplified by securing two of the Club’s future stars in the lead up.
Wilmot, who was already contracted until the end of the 2025 season, has signed a two-year extension to remain a Lion until at least the end of 2027.
While Lohmann has resisted the temptation from rival clubs trying to lure him back home to Victoria by instead penning a new two-year deal with Brisbane.
“We are thrilled to have Darcy and Kai staying at the Brisbane Lions as they are both promising talents who we believe will play important roles in the future success of our Club,” Lions general manager of football, Danny Daly said.
“Darcy made his debut in the finals for us last year and from that moment he has just looked at home at AFL level and continues to improve each week.
“Kai has worked hard and was rewarded with several AFL games in what was an injury interrupted year, but we know what he is capable of over the next two years.”
Wilmot has come along in leaps and bounds since making his debut in last season’s Elimination Final win against Richmond.
As a result, the dashing and charismatic defender has helped the Lions become a true contender in 2023 and at the same time was named the Round 14 nominee for the AFL Rising Star.
Now the 19-year-old from Melbourne, who was the Club’s first pick in the 2021 NAB National Draft with selection 16, wants nothing more than to call Brisbane home.
“I am pumped to sign on for two more years with the Brisbane Lions because I couldn’t imagine myself being anywhere else than here with this Club and this group,” Wilmot said.
“I love the culture of the Club which is due to the quality of people here including players, coaches and staff. And Brissy (Brisbane) is a beautiful place to be.
“We have a bright future ahead of us and I want to help the Brisbane Lions continue to be successful and give this Club what it deserves by going all the way.”
Fellow Lions young gun Lohmann echoed the words of his teammate when explaining why he is staying in maroon, blue and gold for another two years.
The 20-year-old forward known for his high-flying marks and craftiness around goals made six appearances at AFL level this season before it was cut short due to a broken collarbone.
Though with a taste for the top level Lohmann has taken plenty of confidence and is determined to hit the ground running when he returns to play in 2024.
“What made me re-sign was the great group that we’ve got here, the support and love everyone has for each other is like family and the relationships I’ve made are great and I have so much fun with my best mates every day,” Lohmann said.
“I’m excited for the next couple of years ahead and what it might hold for this footy club and myself individually - I’m ready to work hard and learn off the coaches and my teammates to get better every day and to achieve what I want to achieve.
“I feel like I haven’t achieved what I was hoping in playing more AFL so I’m excited to do that over the next few years and really make a name for myself.
“It’s obviously shattering being injured but I’m over the moon the boys are doing so well and ready to bring energy to the group in these exciting weeks ahead hopefully.”
The signings of Lohmann and Wilmot cap off a big week for the Brisbane Lions as they come just a day after Irish defender Conor McKenna also committed to the Club for two more years.
