GABBA STILL LOOMS LARGE AS STAKER MOVES ON

AFTER a 13-year career in AFL, six of them with the Brisbane Lions, the Gabba still looms large for Brent Staker (pictured) as he prepares to write a new chapter in his working life.

The versatile former Lions utility has taken a role in management rights sales with Resort Brokers Australia, with his first management rights listing at the new Willow Apartments project located just metres from The Gabba.

Staker called full time on his long AFL playing career towards the end of last season after 160 games and 13 years on the field.

The AFL veteran started with the West Coast Eagles in 2003, booting 84 goals during 110 games, before being drafted to the Brisbane Lions in 2009.

There he played 50 games in six seasons, but was plagued by injury, enduring back-to-back knee reconstructions in 2011 and 2012.

"I counted myself extremely lucky to be drafted by the Lions, where I spent nearly half my football career, and now I'm very excited to have been picked by a winning team in the accommodation property and business sales arena," says Staker.

"It's a brilliant opportunity to train with the best in the business.

"In my next career, I'm applying the same kind of determination and tenacity I was known for on the field, and I certainly intend to be kicking plenty of sales goals."

Staker has hit the ground running with his appointment by developer Urban Living Homes, headed by Caroline Barry and William van der Jagt, to sell the management rights to the new 73-apartment Willow Kangaroo Point.

The eight-level development, designed by Hayes Anderson Lynch Architects, is located on the corner of Duke and Princess streets.

"This is an attractive business-only proposition with a brand new 25-year agreement," says Staker. "Business-only management rights are an increasingly popular option for many buyers."

Staker is the latest in a string of new appointments by Resort Brokers Australia, which has grown significantly in recent years to field a team of more than 30 agents nationwide.

The specialist national tourism and hospitality agency, headquartered in Brisbane, last year celebrated 30 years in the business.

"We are active in every state and territory, handling over 200 sales a year, including hotels, management rights, serviced apartments, motels, resorts and caravan parks," says sales manager Trudy Crooks.

"Brent is just the sort of recruit we look for, ambitious and highly motivated, and also someone who relishes teamwork and collaboration."

Last year, Resort Brokers Australia achieved the highest price ever brokered for a management rights business in Australia when they sold the Soul Surfers Paradise operation and associated real estate to Mantra for a reported $25 millionplus.

The company has also negotiated major off-the-plan deals including the management rights to The Beach Apartments in Broadbeach, bought by Thailand-based Minor Group, the 180-unit Botanica Residences for Aria Property Group, and the Lumira and Riverstone Apartment developments at Newstead.