In another disappointing season under Justin Leppistch, we look at the Lions 2016 campaign.
What’s gone right?
The Lions are building, albeit slowly, a decent looking spine that should improve the club in the coming years. Brisbane have injected key tall players Josh Schache, Eric Hipwood, Harris Andrews, Matthew Hammelmann and Dan McStay into the senior side this year and have all shown positive signs.
Youngster Archie Smith in the ruck has also stepped up, and as Stefan Martin enters the 30s, it is integral that the club develops another ruckman. The Lions have an extremely young squad and will look to add another quality youngster in with a top two pick in the national draft.
What’s gone wrong?
The defensive side of the game was insipid in 2016 and needs some serious work. The Lions were the worst defensive side by over 500 points, and averaged 130 points against per game, making it virtually impossible to be competitive.
This is reflected in a poor percentage of 61.6 and only three wins for the season. For the Lions to go forward they must improve their defensive side of the game and find players who can use the ball efficiently in the defensive side of the ground.
Another major issue for the Lions is the worrying crowd numbers, the lowest since their inception and merger with Fitzroy in 1997. The members are starting to lose patience and in turn, it is going to make it harder for the club to improve it’s list, lure star players and improve facilities in which skipper Tom Rockliff slammed only a month ago.
Best and fairest?
It will come down to star players Tom Rockliff and Dayne Zorko, who have both carried the club on their shoulders in 2016. In particular, Zorko, who is probably responsible for two of the season’s three wins.
Others who should poll well are the improved Tom Cutler, Daniel Rich and consistent recruit Ryan Bastinac.
1. Dayne Zorko
2. Tom Rockliff
3. Ryan Bastinac
4. Daniel Rich
5. Mitch Robinson
Can they make finals in 2017?
No, the Brisbane Lions are still a long way off before they are let alone a consistently competitive football club. A lot more work needs to be done to develop the younger players and the Lions simply don’t have the star power to carry the football club any further at this stage.
A similar finish in 2017 is likely but all the fans will want too see is gradual improvement and the retention of their younger players.
Possible delistings
Nick Robertson
Ryan Lester
Jackson Paine
Current draft order
2, 20, 27, 47, 56, 74
The next big thing
Tall forward Eric Hipwood has been a nice surprise packet in the second half of the season and looks to be a handy foil for Josh Scache for the next decade. Hipwood is a lovely overhead mark and has a good tank and the Lions will be thrilled with his first season.
In a club that struggles to get the ball inside their forward 50, an 18 year old averaging a goal a game in his first season is a great result.
In the off season…
First things first – finding a new coach, as Justin Leppitsch was sacked on Monday. The Lions need to again load up in the draft and look to continue the development of their younger players.
The Lions have an extremely inexperienced spine so perhaps adding a few experienced players may aid their development. As all clubs do, the Lions will dabble in the free agency and trade market and may look at a player such as Nathan Vardy or Tyrone Vickery, however it is likely they will invest in the draft for the second year in a row.
Another important component of the off-season will be about improving their ball movement coming out of defence, and perhaps looking at players who can improve their disposal efficiency and style of movement that will allow more attacking opportunities, and therefore forward 50 entries.
Whoever the new coach is has a lot of work to do to make this club competitive.
Rating
D
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