It’s been close to a decade, but in 2013 the Brisbane Lions may have nearly finished their long march back to AFL contention.
Last year we were all taken aback after Adelaide dominated the NAB Cup, winning in convincing fashion by 34 points against West Coast.
The Crows went on to have a great year, and despite one of the easier draws, were impressive in proceeding to a gallant loss in the preliminary final.
Adelaide made a huge amount of ground in just twelve months and as I look back over Brisbane’s pre-season grand final win over the weekend, I wonder if the Brisbane Lions will have a similar fate.
Notching up 10 wins last year was already a big improvement but before the NAB Cup started I had them struggling to fight further up the ladder this year. In my pre-season picks they still missed the finals, finishing 11th in a group of five teams fighting for the eight.
But after their victory on Friday night and their undefeated tournament, I have to reassess whether they will make further inroads in the season to come.
Jonathan Brown is of course key, as he has been for so long, and as his five goals in the grand final attest. He has to stay injury free, but no doubt he’ll attack the contest as fearlessly as ever.
Journeyman Brent Moloney is a great recruit, having come to the club via stints at Melbourne and Geelong. As a hard-nosed midfielder, Moloney will help relieve the pressure on Simon Black to be the club’s number one midfielder at the tail end of his career.
He will also attract a decent opponent, leaving either the improved Tom Rockliff or Jack Redden to get at the ball with less attention.
Martin Pike famously blossomed at Brisbane after moving through several other AFL sides. It would be great to see a player of Moloney’s ability doing the same.
Josh Green and Dayne Zorko have improved and now add some spark. Daniel Merrett has to hold down full back to give Joel Patfull a chop out.
Daniel Rich was a worthy winner of the Michael Tuck Medal, and his running this year looks so much more powerful. Patrick Karnezis is another who has taken big steps forward to be almost been his side’s best performer over the pre-season tournament.
Brisbane were the best contested-ball team in the NAB Cup, and second in clearances. This highlights two massive areas of improvement, after finishing 15th and 17th in those respective categories last year.
The Lions are scoring on a regular basis from their forward 50 entries. The main issue will be whether the defence can restrict the opposition on a week-by-week basis.
There was some public negativity about the AFL’s decision to play the pre-season grand final in Melbourne.
But internally, the Lions would have been happy enough with the decision, given they play the same stadium in round one against the Bulldogs and in round four against North Melbourne. This was a dress rehearsal that will now see the Lions back themselves in.
It could be the start of an impressive season. Brisbane’s home games are once again becoming a lock. Only 10 of their 22 rounds are against top eight sides from last year.
If you have a look at their first five games, they play the Bulldogs at Etihad, Adelaide at the Gabba, Gold Coast at Metricon, North at Etihad, and Melbourne at the Gabba.
They could quite easily have four wins after five weeks, which would be a massive confidence boost for a side that is improving.
They’ve been a long time down, but the Brisbane Lions may surprise a lot of teams this year.
Judy Morris
Guest
Great game Nab final.Terrific to see Brisbane winning again,as a Fitzroy-Brisbane lion fan.The ammount of effort put in by all the players, determined to win was a pleasure to watch.As we hardly get to see our team in Victoria, it gives us a chance to get to know the new players.They may not be 2001-2003 players with the strength they had,but watching the play looks similiar to Vossie's game when he was at his top.Given time this group will make it.We don't hear much about the lions here,so the computer keeps us up with things.Best of luck this year.COME ON THE LIONS. Bring on the Western Bulldogs.
Dan
Guest
2 close wins at home against top sides last year, the other 8 against the bottom 5, they'll improve that record this year no doubt, but are they going to make the finals ahead of last years top 8, St Kilda, Richmond, Carlton and Essendon? Nope.
TW
Guest
Change of topic although the Lions are in "foreign territory" footy wise. According to news items coming out of Wellington NZ today some of the hotels in its CBD are booked out - For the AFL Anzac Day clash at the Westpac Stadium in that city. This match will be for competition points which means the clubs involved will be dinkum. They have estimated that currently about 4,000 footy fans are flying in from Melb and Sydney and have booked their accommodation and flights. That number may increase of course. Would the hoteliers and other related businesses be happy - Of course because apparently it is a quiet period for them. The Anzac Day marketing is a good idea originally floated by Kevin Sheedy several years ago I think.
JamesP
Guest
I think they will improve on last years 10 wins - which will automatically put them into finals contention (12-13 wins). Personally, i think they will just fall short - although it depends on injuries (not just to them, but to other teams in the finals mix).
Boris
Guest
Tough ask to pick the top 8 at this time of year. Put a line through GWS, Gold Coast, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and probably St Kilda and that still leaves 14 genuine finals contenders...
Col
Guest
Yep a lot of love for the Lions this year! Got a good draw playing the Suns, Dees and Dogs twice. Very cosy start and finish BUT a hell of a run from rd 6-14. Got them penciled in for 11 wins, which wont see them feature in the 8....however a couple of big home wins v Blues, Cats and Eagles could see them sneek in. Not impossible.
TomC
Roar Guru
Seems like there’s a Brisbane article every day! I’d probably agree with the players Brad identifies as important in 2013. Brown is still critical, and still irreplaceable. Moloney seems like a perfect fit in the Lions midfield. He is a genuine extractor, a claim that really could only be made about the aging Simon Black from last year’s team. Josh Green seems destined to become a player everyone loves. He’s not immune from the occasional stuff-up, but it’s his second efforts that always impress. Plus, who doesn’t love a short, stocky, Tasmanian ranga? Another important area for the Lions is clearing the ball from the backline. This has been a real issue in past years, and they’ll want a solid season from Adcock to support youngsters Golby and Yeo back there. All in all, it’s an exciting time to be a Brisbane fan.
Brodie
Roar Guru
I think it's completely relistic to win four out of those five games, heck they should expect it! But again i agree. Most of it rest's on JBrown's health until they find a 2.0 version!
Redb
Roar Guru
Let's not get carreid away. The hype around Brisbane's NAB Cup win needs to be put in perspective. Carlton had a shocker on Friday night, the old adage that you're only as good as your opposition allows you to be applies in this case. Carlton didnt chase and spread with intensity. Let's reassess the Lions (who I like) in 10-12 weeks.
pete london
Guest
The lions playing well is great for the game in qld. Loved being at the gabba when it's packed to the rafters full of Brisbane fans.
24vbs
Guest
It'll be fantastic if the lions turn the gabba into a graveyard for visiting teams. Hopefully the nab cup win is the shot in the arm they need to get some members back. I agree browny is a key for us but I think him drawing two defenders guys like green, McGrath and bamfeild etc should be getting easy shots in space. The midfield has depth now and I think richy looks primed for a big year but watch for Pearce Hanley running through the lines he's gonna be a bueaty. Sauce Merritt will be all Australian full back this year like he was gonna be a couple of years ago before being thrown foward. Really hope luenberger starts to dominate and stays fit. Vossy said premiers by 2015 it looks like the it's starting to come together. Hope they don't fall in a heap now there starting to be pumped up lol