The Brisbane Lions have taken a determined lead from the AFL's push to dress up its home games and are looking to secure a live lion to parade on the Gabba arena before each local fixture.

The club's new chief executive, Greg Swann, confirmed he had assigned a member of his marketing team to investigate Southern Queensland zoos and lion parks in a bid to present the formidable new mascot in 2014.

The Brisbane Lions chief executive Greg Swann plans to attract crowds with a live lion. Credit:AFR

With Port Adelaide stealing a march on the other clubs with its dramatic build-up to Adelaide Oval games, AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has urged clubs to reimagine the potential fanfare around their home games.

While several Melbourne clubs have balked at the AFL campaign, claiming they have been consistently blocked by both the league and its stadiums, Swann said he planned to roll out the captive lion after launching a competition among members and supporters to name the so-called king of the jungle.