Brisbane Lions

[Sedat]

Re: Brisbane Lions

It's unreal how the Lions put this list together and they're a great example of of getting the balance of the draft, trading and father son picks right and they're very likely to be better again next season.

They've got two great picks coming in with Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall and will have McInerney, Doedee and Coleman available.

If they can manage complacency, they'll be the ones to beat again next season.

They are a good lesson for us - they started contending for finals in 2019 and have saluted 6 years later. At the end of 2021 they were 1-5 in finals (most of them at home) and are now 9-6 in finals, their only loss being under a kick in last year's GF.

Good teams don't panic and know exactly where they are on the premiership clock, and also what they need to do to keep adapting and adjusting to get even better - both game plan and personnel. We have work to do on the list but we should consider ourselves a contender next year and for the next few years to be honest. Our game plan profile this year was competition best (and very similar to Brisbane), so we are finally heading down the right path game plan wise. We wasted the 2 years after 2021 but we didn't waste this year IMO (very poor final aside).

Ripping it all up and starting again is not the way IMO.

[GVGjr]

They are going to be a genuine contender again.

From Code Sports
Brisbane season 2025 preview:
The Lions finally proved the doubters wrong and won last year’s grand final in convincing fashion after a jolted start to the season. No Joe Daniher and the always difficult task of backing up a strong consecutive season looms for Chris Fagan’s men. Callum Dick analyses the path towards back to back premierships.

SURPRISE PACKET OF 2024
Kai Lohmann had played just eight games in his first two seasons and came close to returning home to Victoria at the end of 2023 but smartly chose to stay in Brisbane. In lieu of an injured Lincoln McCarthy and down-on-form Charlie Cameron, Lohmann became the Lions’ most reliable small forward. His finals series was immense, kicking nine goals in four games including four in the grand final thumping of the Swans.

INS AND OUTS
IN: Levi Ashcroft (No. 5 draft pick, father-son), Sam Day (Pre-Season Draft), Ty Gallop (No. 42 draft pick, Academy), Sam Marshall (No. 25 draft pick, Academy)

OUT: Joe Daniher (retired), Kalin Lane (delisted), Jarryd Lyons (retired), James Madden (delisted), Carter Michael (delisted), Jaxon Prior (delisted), Harry Sharp (trade, Melbourne)

BRISBANE'S PREDICTED BEST 23
FB: Brandon Starcevich, Harris Andrews, Darcy Wilmot
HB: Keidean Coleman, Jack Payne, Dayne Zorko
C: Jaspa Fletcher, Will Ashcroft, Hugh McCluggage
HF: Cam Rayner, Eric Hipwood, Jarrod Berry
FF: Charlie Cameron, Sam Day, Callum Ah Chee
FOLL: Oscar McInerney, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Neale
INT: Kai Lohmann, Zac Bailey, Levi Ashcroft, Tom Doedee, Logan Morris

Daniher is the obvious omission but former Sun Sam Day should get first crack at assuming his role. The Lions will also be buoyed by the return of defensive duo Tom Doedee and Keidean Coleman, the latter was on course for a breakout season last year before rupturing his ACL. Ryan Lester would be a stiff out but it’s a very competitive side to break into and spots will be up for grabs so it’s a toss up between him and Doedee to who makes the final 23.

WHO’S PLAYING FOR A CONTRACT?
It’s a big year for Deven Robertson, who spurned a chance to move west at the end of 2023 but failed to break into Brisbane’s starting side last season. Was mooted to move again during the trade period before that fell flat.
Interest has now waned on the midfielder’s services and he needs a big season to bump up his stock if he still wants a move and starting spot elsewhere in 2026. Will be even tougher to break into Brisbane’s midfield next year with Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall arriving.

Coach
Chris Fagan is safe as houses. All the noise early last season has been forgotten after the Lions’ premiership breakthrough. Even as some in the public eye agitated for Fagan’s removal, the club’s hierarchy always remained committed to its man. Now with a flag in his pocket that won’t change. The only question marks will come when Tasmania enters the league in 2028, with the native naturally tied to a move back home to help launch the club. If he were to move to Tasmania, it’d likely be in a director role of some description, rather than to coach his second club.

LAST YEAR IN CONTRACT
Brandon Starcevich, Bruce Reville, Callum Ah Chee, Conor McKenna, Darcy Craven, Darcy Fort, Darcy Gardiner, Darragh Joyce, Dayne Zorko, Deven Robertson, James Tunstill, Kai Lohmann, Lincoln McCarthy, Logan Morris, Luke Beecken, Reece Torrent, Ryan Lester, Zane Zakostelsky

[Mofra]

TBH I think they have to play Fort as a forward/second ruck given O'Mac's injury history and age. They need a second KPF to keep the opposition defenders accountable otherwise they may be susceptible to intercept marking talls blunting their attack. They'll be absolutely fine once the ball hits the deck though.

The defence will get re-jigged. Can Zorko keep his formline up at 34 years old? Kiddy walks back into the side

[Dogs 24/7]

They have some gaps but it's an impressive list. I wouldn't bet against them as a top 4 side.

[jeemak]

Have a look at their wings/ flankers/ pockets/ forward of centre players (bolded):

BRISBANE'S PREDICTED BEST 23
FB: Brandon Starcevich, Harris Andrews, Darcy Wilmot
HB: Keidean Coleman, Jack Payne, Dayne Zorko
C: Jaspa Fletcher, Will Ashcroft, Hugh McCluggage
HF: Cam Rayner, Eric Hipwood, Jarrod Berry
FF: Charlie Cameron, Sam Day, Callum Ah Chee
FOLL: Oscar McInerney, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Neale
INT: Kai Lohmann, Zac Bailey, Levi Ashcroft, Tom Doedee, Logan Morris

It's modern day footy porn. Even the guys I haven't highlighted are going to be awesome in their roles sooner rather than later.

If that's not the best side put together in the last ten to fifteen years................even with the odd reach/ new draftee being included over others............then I don't know shite about footy.

[Stevo]

Have a look at their wings/ flankers/ pockets/ forward of centre players (bolded):

BRISBANE'S PREDICTED BEST 23
FB: Brandon Starcevich, Harris Andrews, Darcy Wilmot
HB: Keidean Coleman, Jack Payne, Dayne Zorko
C: Jaspa Fletcher, Will Ashcroft, Hugh McCluggage
HF: Cam Rayner, Eric Hipwood, Jarrod Berry
FF: Charlie Cameron, Sam Day, Callum Ah Chee
FOLL: Oscar McInerney, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Neale
INT: Kai Lohmann, Zac Bailey, Levi Ashcroft, Tom Doedee, Logan Morris

It's modern day footy porn. Even the guys I haven't highlighted are going to be awesome in their roles sooner rather than later.

If that's not the best side put together in the last ten to fifteen years................even with the odd reach/ new draftee being included over others............then I don't know shite about footy.

It's an awesome team purely on talent and I think I read here that their list management approach over a number of years was based on building talented running players who can play forward and in the midfield in the even conditions up in Brisbane.
Unless something really strange happens they are right in contention again this year.