Brisbane Lions AFL 2018 Season Preview

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• Author: Alex Christodoulou
  Mar 01, 2018 09:58 PM
• AAP

Lions still lack a roar

Key Outs: Tom Rockliff (Port Adelaide Power), Josh Schache (Western Bulldogs)

Overview

The glory days of the early 2000s, highlighted by the remarkable “three-peat” of premierships from 2001-2003, seem a very distant memory for even the most rusted-on Lions fans, let alone the rest of us. In recent times, the Lions have found themselves anchored to the bottom of the ladder with last year’s cellar-dweller finish a slight regression after finishing second-last in both 2015 and 2016. To put it simply, the Lions are in trouble. 

Whilst Brisbane bolstered their ranks in the off-season by picking up the experienced Luke Hodge and the speedy Charlie Cameron, they also lost Tom Rockliff to Port Adelaide, who was one of the Lions’ rare shining lights in 2017. In what was a telling reflection of their position on the table last season, the Lions  ranked last in contested possessions, averaging a mere 130.8 a game. This area is considered a key yardstick for success and they will have to improve on it significantly in 2018 if they are going to be competitive. The Lions' tackle numbers were also underwhelming as they completed the second fewest (1367) of all teams last year. 

The Lions also have a tricky draw, having to play GWS twice as well as an unwinnable away game against Geelong at the Cattery. These fixtures aside, the Lions simply lack the quality down back to stop the majority of the league's goal kickers. 

Needless to say, second-year coach Chris Fagan faces a monumental task in turning the results around for the Lions this year. With squad development high on the coaching staff’s agenda, another year in footballing wilderness seems inevitable for Lions fans and anything other than the wooden spoon will feel like a success.

Player to watch: Mitch Robinson is a hard-nut with bags of talent, however the midfielder is yet to string together a group of good games since joining from Carlton in 2015. If he can add consistency to his bruising style of play, he will drastically improve the team around him. 

Key player: Dayne Zorko was Brisbane's standout performer last year, providing a constant goal-scoring threat on top of his solid midfield work. If Zorko can improve even slightly on his last season efforts and combine well with fellow midfielder and namesake Dayne Beams, the Lions may well surprise a few. 

Defensive rating 2/10

It’s no surprise that the Lions conceded the most amount of points last year and this inexperienced outfit will be looking to new recruit and multi-premiership champion Luke Hodge to bring much needed organization and stability down back. It’s a big ask for the old-hand and may prove too big a task, with young up-and-comers Harris Andrews and Daniel McStay likely to be targeted by opposition front lines all season long.   

Attacking threat 2/10

A similar story as their defence, with young Eric Hipwood and Lewis Taylor having an ineffectual 2017. It says a lot about Brisbane that their top goal scorer from last year was not a forward, but a midfielder in Zorko. If the Lions have any chance of avoiding consecutive wooden spoons, these young forwards will need to stand up.

Midfield strength 5/10

Definitely where the Lions’ strength lies. With the two Daynes reaching their peak and the added speed of new recruit Charlie Cameron, expect Brisbane to be a damaging threat in attack to opposing teams. If the mercurial Robinson can combine well with Zorko and captain Beams, the Lions will be competitive.