One was Daniel Rich who instantly became an integral part of the Lions’ midfield and was a runaway winner of the NAB AFL Rising Star.
The other was Todd Banfield who had to wait patiently while he served his apprenticeship in the QAFL.
But Banfield has burst onto the scene in 2010 as one of the most exciting prospects in the new-look Lions side.
Banfield’s impressive start has been rewarded with a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after his three-goal effort in Saturday’s loss to the Sydney Swans.
It is one small step to catching up with his good mate Rich but Banfield says he was far from envious when he was watching on last year as his fellow Sandgroper took the league by storm.
“I was really happy for Richy," Banfield told afl.com.au. "He earned it.
"He was very consistent last year and had an outstanding year.
"He was great to watch and he made me work harder and try to get a game.”
Banfield came across from Swan Districts and Rich from Subiaco and the pair have developed a close friendship after years of junior representative football in Perth.
“I’m really close with Richy," Banfield said. "He taught me a lot last year and when I played against him back in year eight he was always the guy who you know would lift for the other team.
“He’s got great leadership qualities and he talks to me and helps me improve my game.”
Banfield was part of a strong junior group at WAFL side Swan Districts, including West Coast pair Tony Notte and Nic Naitanui, Fremantle duo Michael Walters and Clancee Pearce and the Jetta cousins Neville and Lewis.
“In year 11 and 12 you always want to try and beat each other," he said. "You get really competitive and that makes you strive to get better.
“Tony [Notte] was probably the main one growing up, then Nic kind of sprung up and excited everyone with his big leap and his talent.”
Quick to talk down his own chances of winning the Rising Star award at the end of the season, Banfield nominated his former teammate Naitanui as the man most likely.
“I’d probably say Nic would win it, his ability to be in the air and on the ground is first-rate,” he said.
While most of his Swan Districts teammates got to stay at home when they were drafted, Banfield had to make the biggest move possible to set up camp with his new club.
But there are no signs of homesickness as he makes his mark at the Brisbane Lions.
“The leadership is outstanding, Jonathan Brown is really easy to talk to and if I’ve got a question to ask about say, stoppages or something he is one to go to and he will tell you what you have to do," he said. "In the games he always shows his leadership too.
“Brendan Fevola is another one who has really helped me, after the loss to Melbourne he had a word to me and said it was a bad team performance and we didn’t play our roles and you can’t get down on yourself too much.
“He is great to get along with, everyone likes him and he is one of those guys who brings excitement to the group, even on the field when he kicks those goals you know it is going to bring the team up.”
