It’s no secret that Brisbane will hit the free agency market to address some glaring deficiencies this year but Justin Leppitsch says the Lions won’t be going on a spending spree.

Brisbane remain anchored at the bottom of the ladder after 16 rounds having succumbed to Melbourne at the MCG for their eighth loss in succession.

The Lions clearly need help and have been linked to a string of high-priced free agents this season, including Richmond’s Alex Rance before he re-signed with the Tigers.

Speaking after the loss to the Demons on Sunday, Leppitsch acknowledged the need to add more experience to his playing stocks, but said his club would be considered in its approach.

“We’re not going to blindly go recruiting – they’ll be targeted,” Leppitsch said.

“Everyone knows the system so we’ll have to strategically look at that and see who we bring in and who we (move) out but I don’t really want to talk about names.”

But he’s also realistic enough to know that the experienced talent he craves won’t be found in the bargain basement.

“That’s the hard part about when you’re bringing players in – you always pay a bit extra don’t you?” he said.

“To stay at a club (you get) less but if you leave you get a bit more – everyone knows that.

“But if you keep doing it all the time you also blow your cap. We don’t want to do that either.”

Brisbane have been hit hard by retirements and an exodus of younger talent in recent years, which Leppitsch said had made the club’s list management “difficult”.

The coach is keen to bring in more experienced hands, like they did with Dayne Beams and Allen Christensen at the end of last season, but said he won’t do it at the expense of the young talent already at the club.