Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss said he was deeply saddened by the passing of former AFL teammate Brent Green at the age of 33.

Green drowned on the Gold Coast last Monday.

He was recruited from local club Southport by the then Bears in 1991 as a 15-year-old project player and made his senior debut in 1995.

He was an inaugural member of the Brisbane Lions squad in 1997 but moved to the Sydney Swans the following year after managing just five senior matches in seven seasons at the club.

He played a further seven matches with the Swans before recurring injuries forced him to retire at the end of 1998.

"I grew up playing football either with or against Brent since I was 11 years-old - from the Queensland junior ranks to our time together in the AFL," Voss said.

"He was a gentle giant but showed some serious aggression out on the footy field."

"Our thoughts are with his family at this incredibly tough time."

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