AFL stars roar into Warwick for local club sign-on day
ONE second-generation Brisbane Lions AFL player will be in Warwick on Saturday for the sign-on for junior and senior players for the Warwick Credit Union Redbacks Australian Rules club.
Andrew Raines is originally from Victoria but has played for the Brisbane Lions for the past three seasons.
Raines plays as a defensive midfielder, the same position where his father, Geoff Raines, played for Richmond, Essendon, Collingwood and was a foundation player with the then Brisbane Bears, now Lions.
Redbacks member Colin Pope said all 12 Lions heading to Warwick tomorrow and Saturday were all in the Lions senior squad.
"Eight of the players were regulars in the AFL competition last season," Pope said.
Six of the players will be in Warwick tomorrow to visit Warwick East State School in the morning and Warwick State High School in the afternoon.
"They will hold coaching clinics and answer questions for the students," Pope said this week.
Raines is one of the six Lions who will be in town on Saturday for the sign-on at Roddies Oval, in Jackie Howe Dr, from 10am-2pm.
Pope said the players would conduct coaching clinics during the day and sign autographs.
"Anyone interested in the sport is welcome to come and speak to the Lions players," he said.
"It is the biggest influx of Lions players in the 17 years since the club was re-formed."
The Lions plan to visit flood-affected businesses Ryanie For Tyres, Cafe Jacqui's and B&K Motors after the school visits tomorrow.
