Brisbane Lions will delist Western Australian defenders Jackson Prior and Darcy Craven as they receive rookie lifeline

Brisbane have delisted Western Australia defender Jackson Prior following the trade period.

Prior played 39 games for the Lions over four seasons, but only nine in the last two years as the club reached back-to-back grand finals and won their first premiership in more than two decades.

The 23-year-old was selected to the club with pick 59 in the 2019 National Draft from West Perth.

He is the son of former Essendon and West Coast player and former Eagles (AFLW) coach Michael Prior.

The Lions informed Washington State rookie midseason draft pick Darcy Craven of Bridgetown in the south of the state that they would re-select him in the preseason rookie draft along with cornerback Darragh Joyce.

Pryor’s delisting comes after the club retained Deven Robertson despite promising during this month’s trade period to facilitate a deal if someone would work for the club.

The Falcons product has averaged just over nine goals per game in four starts this season.

Brisbane’s squad will become even more difficult to find next season as the club looks to acquire Levi Ashcroft – son of club great Marcus and brother of Norm Smith medalist Will – and academy product Sam Marshall.

Lions football boss Danny Daly said the defender showed “strong moments of football” in his final season at the club.

“Jackson has shown encouraging development since his selection and has played a part in our success at AFL and VFL level,” he said.