For the Brisbane Lions, season 2013 was as tough and emotional as a rollercoaster can ever be in everyday life.
What started off brightly quickly turned into a rabble as the Lions continually underperformed on the field, even when they were expected to earn a finals berth.
It was this string of disappointing results that saw Michael Voss quit the club upon learning that he would not be granted a contract extension after this season.
There were some extreme highs and lows in what was another predominantly forgettable season by the men from the Gabba.
What went right
The Brisbane Lions started 2013 off on a bright note, defeating Carlton to win the NAB Cup, its first piece of silverware since the hat-trick of premierships at the turn of the millennium.
After that victory it was thought that the Lions could be contenders in 2013, but while they endured a mostly disappointing season on the field there were some moments that are worth remembering.
There was no greater moment than the stirring comeback against Geelong in Round 13, when the team found itself 50 points down in the third quarter before producing a stellar final term to win by five points.
The team almost did the double against the Cats, but fell by one point in the return match at Simonds Stadium, the closest Geelong came to what would have been their third loss at home (until the qualifying final against Fremantle) since April 2007.
The Lions also managed their first victory over St Kilda since 2008, and recorded its largest victory margin when they defeated GWS by 10 goals in Round 21.
From the home victory against Geelong through to the Round 22 victory over the Western Bulldogs, they won seven of ten matches. Despite this impressive patch coach Michael Voss was punted and Mark Harvey took over.
What went wrong
The Lions’ regular season did not start well, having come off the NAB Cup victory at Etihad Stadium against Carlton, they were thrashed by 68 points at the same venue in the opening round by the Western Bulldogs.
There were also a handful of uncompetitive performances in the first half of the season, none more so than against North Melbourne (63 points), the Sydney Swans (60) and Hawthorn (58).
The Lions also disappointed on the Friday night stage in Round 10, losing to Collingwood by 49 points.
Those results were among the factors which contributed to the decision of the board not to extend Michael Voss’ contract at the end of this season.
Jonathan Brown also endured an injury-ravaged 2013 season, managing only 28 majors from 15 matches this year. His absence could have been the difference between a heartbreaking loss and a breakthrough victory against Geelong in the final round.
The future
By the beginning of 2014, only Simon Black, Jonathan Brown and Ashley McGrath* will remain from the side that captured a hat-trick of premierships.
It could be the final season for all three, while the future of Brown could also come under the spotlight given his recent injury troubles.
Mark Harvey has not put his hand up to coach the Lions full time, but whoever does will inherit a talented playing list starved of recent success.
*Ashley McGrath played in only the 2003 premiership winning side.
Questions the fans will want answered in 2014
– Who will coach the Brisbane Lions?
– Will one of Black, Brown or McGrath continue after 2014?
– Can this Lions side live up to their potential?
And last, but not least
– Can the Lions return to the finals?
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