Brisbane have made major inroads into the AFL draft and gained the nephew of former Essendon champion Darren Bewick in the complex deal that released Jared Brennan to Gold Coast.

The Lions received draft selections five, 25 and 27 as well as West Perth midfielder Rohan Bewick, who averaged 20 disposals over 16 matches this WAFL season.

The trade was finalised on Friday and the Suns will receive the Lions' compensation pick for losing Brennan.

Gold Coast also gain picks 10 and 48 from the Lions as well gaining the brilliant utility.

Brennan was released to the Suns on Thursday as an uncontracted player signing and his departure, along with Michael Rischitelli to the Suns, will ease any salary cap pressure the Lions were facing.

In swapping their first round selection with the Suns, the Lions have upgraded their position to be only behind Gold Coast (selections one, two and three) and West Coast (four) in next month's national draft.

Gold Coast were able to trade Bewick under concession rules which allowed them access to previously listed or previously nominated players in the draft.

Lions talent manager Rob Kerr said improving draft positions was imperative for the trade to go ahead.

"Being able to secure pick number five proved a significant upgrade for us," Kerr said.

"There will be some elite talent among the early selections this year, and we were determined to push up into the early bracket to be certain of drafting one of those players.

"It really places this club in a strong position for what will be a compromised draft."

Kerr said the Lions now have four of the top 30 selections and they had the option of shelving Rischitelli's compensation pick for another year.

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