Brisbane Lions forward Logan Morris has committed his future to the club, signing a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the Gabba until the end of 2029 — a major retention win for the reigning premiers as they prepare for Saturday's preliminary final against Hawthorn at the MCG.
The 21-year-old, who collected his first All-Australian blazer this season, was considered one of the most coveted players set to hit the open market at the end of next year. Victorian clubs were widely expected to table significant offers, and while the expansion Tasmania Devils were considered an unlikely destination when they enter the competition in 2028, the threat of a bidding war from established clubs had been very real.
Instead, Morris has elected to stay put — and he says the decision was never really in doubt.
"There's no point dragging [contract negotiations] out if I know what I want to do, and I wanted to stay at Brisbane," Morris said. "I wanted to just get it done and now I can focus on this week, and hopefully the next few years will be exciting."
A season that demanded attention
It is not difficult to understand why rival clubs were circling. Morris has been one of the AFL's most prolific forwards over the past two seasons, having booted 144 goals from 69 matches since being drafted from the Western Jets with pick 31 in the 2023 national draft.
This season alone he has kicked 67 goals during the home-and-away campaign, finishing second in the Coleman Medal behind Sydney's Charlie Curnow. That tally included a stunning eight-goal haul against Collingwood in the final round of the regular season — a performance that underlined just how dangerous he is at the elite level.
Despite the attention that form generated from outside the club, Morris said the financial aspect of rival offers was never the driving factor in his thinking.
"I just thought … more about what I'm happy with and the team that I'm at; I don't want to leave a team where I'm happy where I am mentally and I've got a good group of mates," he said. "I think playing within a good team that's got good values and playing with all my mates is more valuable to me than a bit more money, so that's what it ultimately came down to."
Third major signing in a big week for the Lions
Morris's re-signing is the third significant retention announcement the Brisbane Lions have made in the space of a week, and together they paint a picture of a club actively consolidating its core as it chases an unprecedented third consecutive premiership.
Midfielder Zac Bailey led the way, resisting a substantial offer from Adelaide to ink a remarkable nine-year deal that effectively locks him in for the rest of his career. Veteran captain Dayne Zorko has also signed on for at least one more season, providing continuity in the midfield.
The trio of signings gives Brisbane significant stability heading into the back end of the finals series and beyond, reinforcing the squad's ability to sustain a dynasty rather than simply defend a title.
Clouds on the horizon despite the good news
Not everything in Brisbane's retention picture is rosy, however. The Lions are understood to be at serious risk of losing Sam Marshall, a member of the 2025 premiership side who is seeking greater senior opportunities. Multiple clubs — including Melbourne, Essendon, the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda — are reported to have expressed interest in the young forward.
Promising forward Will McLachlan is also attracting attention, with Melbourne and Essendon said to be monitoring his situation. And perhaps most significantly for the club's long-term plans, star midfielder Lachie Neale is widely expected to depart at season's end, with Collingwood understood to be his likely destination.
Those potential departures will test Brisbane's list management in the off-season, but for now the focus remains squarely on what is immediately ahead.
Eyes on the preliminary final
With Morris signed, sealed and mentally freed up, Brisbane head into Saturday's preliminary final against Hawthorn with genuine belief they can advance to a third straight grand final. The Lions defeated the Adelaide Crows 144 to 91 in their semi-final, while Hawthorn progressed by defeating Fremantle in their own qualifying match.
A win on Saturday would set up a grand final appearance on September 26, where the Lions would face the winner of the other preliminary final between Sydney and Fremantle.
For Morris, the contract extension removes any lingering distraction. The goals are already flowing — now he and his teammates have bigger ones to chase.
