Brisbane Lions 2008 preview

He’s the name on everyone’s lips at the Brisbane Lions for 2008 – and it’s not Jonathan Brown.

Reduced to a shadow of the triple premiership winning side which dominated the AFL, the Lions rode the coat-tails of the Brisbane giant last season to move within a whisker of their first top eight campaign since the 2004 grand final.

Brown completed his first full season in years to kick 77 goals and snaffle up the Coleman Medal and All Australian vice-captaincy.

However, once troubled Melbourne midfielder Travis Johnstone has become the buzz word at the Lions.

It is no coincidence that since his arrival the Lions have stopped using “rebuilding phase” and started dropping “finals footy” into sentences.

Not a bad effort from a bloke who wanted to be a “Demon for life”.

But when Johnstone heard Melbourne were shopping him around, he weighed up his options and bit the bullet.

After 160 games at Melbourne, Johnstone arrived in Brisbane via a three-way trade that ensured Lions ruckman Cameron Wood went to Collingwood.

And the Lions haven’t stopped raving about him since.

The thought of Johnstone chiming into an already classy midfield featuring co-captains Luke Power, Nigel Lappin and Simon Black has everyone in BrisVegas feeling lucky.

Especially the man who usually generates all the AFL excitement north of the Tweed – Lions talisman Brown.

“Having Travis Johnstone come into the mix is sensational,” he said.

“Our midfield rates up there with one of the best in the competition.

“It will be difficult for oppositions to match up with our midfield which hopefully means a lot of supply for our forwards.”

This season Brown can legitimately use the plural “forwards”.

Last year the man mountain was a one man show.

In 2008, Daniel Bradshaw will finally get in on the act.

Recovering earlier than expected from a knee reconstruction that robbed him of 2007, Bradshaw’s return is music to the ears of Brown.

“I’ve always thought it is easier to kick goals having Braddy down there,” Brown said ominously.

“It helps spread the load a bit and hopefully Braddy can come back and win a Coleman of his own.”

After finally ditching his infamous “mercurial” tag, Jared Brennan is another strike weapon. Youngster Mitch Clark is another – when finally fit.

Then there’s Brown.

He may have enjoyed one of his best years in 2007 but he is the first to admit he didn’t find full fitness until mid-year after being nursed through training.

The mind boggles at what carnage Brown can inflict armed with his first full pre-season in years after overcoming niggling injuries.

“I am physically feeling really good, no hiccups. I will go into 2008 in better shape than I have in years,” Brown said.

“I am excited because I have come off a full year.

“I have had a good pre-season and it’s also exciting knowing that we’ve got a pretty good (player) list, you go into the year confident that we can be a pretty good side.”

The usually dead pan coach Leigh Matthew shared Brown’s optimism.

“I guess this is the first time in three or four years that he’s been completely healthy and ready to start a normal campaign,” he said.

“One of the issues we had 12 months ago was to try and get him through a season and play the whole season and he did that.

“I think his second half of last season was better because he was much fitter. But this year I think he will start the season more match prepared than he probably started last season.”

But injuries have provided a reality check for Matthews.

At one stage 14 players were under a fitness cloud but by the season opener only Ash McGrath (knee) and Clark (quad) are considered doubtful.

Then there’s the ruckman depth which Matthews admits looks “a bit thin” since the shock retirement of Beau McDonald and departure of Wood.

Matthew Leuenberger’s big man potential is exciting and rookie Joel Tippett is a chance of being elevated to replace McDonald on the senior list.

But plenty will again be riding on No.1 ruckman Jamie Charman’s shoulders.

At least the captaincy stocks are healthy despite the retirement of Chris Johnson – Brisbane still have four men at the helm for 2008.

The Lions players may be using the ‘f’ word before 2008 – finals – but world-weary Matthews has not made any bold predictions for 2008.

Asked about the Lions’ finals chances, Matthews said: “No one has the depth to cover their best players.

“If we have a bit of good fortune in keeping our side together then we are pretty confident that we have a level of ability in the team that can match the best.”

BRISBANE LIONS
Coach: Leigh Matthews

Captains: Jonathan Brown, Luke Power, Nigel Lappin, Simon Black

Last five years: 1-2-11-13-10

Premierships: 3 (2001-03)

Star five: Jonathan Brown, Simon Black, Luke Power, Jamie Charman, Nigel Lappin

One to watch: Travis Johnstone – After a decade and 160 games at Melbourne, the rangy, skilful midfielder was traded to the Lions as part of a three-way deal that also resulted in Collingwood getting ruckman Cameron Wood from Brisbane. Johnstone can be brilliant on his day and frustrating at his worst, but coach Leigh Matthews could be the one to get the former No.1 draft pick more consistent.

Ins: Matt Austin (North Ballarat U18), Tom Collier (Tasmania U18), Anthony Corrie (rookie list), Bradd Dalziell (East Fremantle), Lachie Henderson (Geelong U18), Travis Johnstone (Melbourne), James Polkinghorne (Calder U18).

Outs: Marcus Allan (delisted), Ben Fixter (delisted), Patrick Garner (delisted), Richard Hadley (Carlton), Chris Scott (retired), Chris Johnson (retired), Cameron Wood (Collingwood).

Best line-up:
B: Joel Macdonald, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull
HB: Josh Drummond, Jason Roe, Robert Copeland
C: Jed Adcock, Simon Black, Michael Rischitelli
HF: Tim Notting, Jonathan Brown, Cheynee Stiller
F: Ash McGrath, Daniel Bradshaw, Nigel Lappin
R: Jamie Charman, Travis Johnstone, Luke Power
I: Matthew Leuenberger, Justin Sherman, Troy Selwood, Mitchell Clark

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