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AFL: Lifelong Brisbane fan Darcy Fort elated to be entering the Lions’ den

Marco MonteverdeNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia

Darcy Fort’s childhood dream of becoming a Brisbane Lions player has been realised.

Having played just eight AFL matches in three seasons with Geelong, Fort jumped at the chance to move to Brisbane, with the Lions giving the Cats pick 50 and a future third-round selection in exchange for the 28-year-old ruckman and pick 41.

It’s a return home of sorts for Fort, who was born in Geelong but moved to Brisbane as a five-year-old and spent the following six years in Queensland.

It was during his time in the Sunshine State that he developed his love for the Lions, who were at that stage in their halcyon era that secured them a hat-trick of premierships from 2001 to 2003.

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“I’ve barracked for Brisbane since I was very young, and I was very lucky to see all the success there as a young boy,” Fort said.

“If I think about it back then, if I’d imagined myself running around in a Brisbane jersey, I’d be extremely happy about it.

“To get an opportunity now, I’m extremely stoked.”

As is his father Richie, who still lives in Brisbane.

“He called me straight after I found out. He was extremely happy,” Fort said.

“My partner also has family in Cairns ... so it’ll be good to catch up with everyone.”

Despite his limited game time with the Cats, Fort caught the eye of the Lions in a 27-point Geelong win over Brisbane in round 7, 2020.

“I got to do a few things in the ruck that I was trying to do, and I got the ball going forward a couple of times which helped us get the win at the time, but I look forward to doing that for Brisbane next time,” he said.

Lions football manager Danny Daly said Fort “tore apart” the Lions that night.

“We’ve got a history of what he can do in the ruck as well,” Daly said.

Fort’s primary role will be to support Brisbane’s first-choice ruckman Oscar McInerney, but his ability to play as a key forward will also come in handy.

“He can be a ruck combination with Oscar or he can play forward and go in the ruck, so we’ve got that versatility now bringing him into our organisation, which is good for us,” Daly said.

While frustrated with his lack of game time at Geelong, Fort said his time at the Cats was a good learning experience.

“I just tried to use the time as much as I could to develop my game, and I was supported by some great coaches at Geelong,” Fort said.

“I did get a few opportunities which I loved, but I’m definitely looking to hopefully play more senior games when I get to Brisbane.”

Originally published as AFL: Lifelong Brisbane fan Darcy Fort elated to be entering the Lions’ den

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