The “Paddle Pop Lion” guernsey design has been ditched by a new-look Brisbane – but the AFL club is not presuming they finally have all their troubles licked.
There is rare optimism at Brisbane after the popular decision to return to the traditional Fitzroy lion look for 2015.
Ditching the maligned lion design that critics believed more closely resembled a certain ice cream feline character follows a successful trade period that nabbed the signings of Dayne Beams and Allen Christensen.
There was also the talk of bringing a live lion to games, but that too has fortunately gone out the window.
Just like their guernsey, the Lions midfield now resembles their glory days with the new duo joining the likes of All-Australian Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley, Daniel Rich, Jack Redden, Dayne Zorko, James Aish, Sam Mayes as well as ruckmen Matthew Leuenberger and Stef Martin.
It is a remarkable turnaround from 12 months ago when serious questions were asked about the Lions culture after five youngsters left amid a messy boardroom stoush.
However, vice-captain Rockliff said it was one thing looking like the Lions of old, now they had to start winning matches like them.
“You’ve got to remember your past but you’ve also got to build on the present, and that’s the most important thing for us,” Rockliff told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday.
“This time last year a lot of people were writing us off – it’s nice to have a bit of positive media around the footy club.
“You can do all the talking you want, but it’s most important you go out there and perform on the weekend during the season.”
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
On the scoreboard, it looks like a creditable St Kilda performance. A loss to a Port Adelaide outfit many see as a premiership contender…
Was this Darcy Byrne-Jones mark correctly paid or not?
Did Darcy Wilson milk this free? Luke Hodge certainly thought so!
Eddie McGuire's latest bold idea has dropped - for North Melbourne to take over the outskirts of Melbourne and use it to rejuvenate the…
