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This is the second of my 18 AFL previews leading into 2016, where I highlight each squad’s key areas and pick their best starting 22.
Last week we took a look at the Adelaide Crows and now we move to the Brisbane Lions.
Season 2015 was quite the disaster for the Lions, as issues both on and off the field sent the club tumbling into irrelevancy for yet another season.
Multiple media members and fans have questioned whether former Lion star Justin Leppitsch is the right man for the job but CEO Greg Swan has stated his job is safe. If Brisbane have little to no improvement, however, questions about Leppitsch’s will need to be asked.
The Lions are in a clear rebuild mode and that process has been boosted by the drafting of forward Josh Schache with the second overall pick in the draft this year. The 199-centimetre key forward was a goal-kicking machine with Vic Country, kicking a record haul of 24 goals in the Under-18 carnival and also amassing 34 goals in seven games in the TAC Cup.
Schache is a shoo-in for a spot in the Lions’ best 22 come Round 1 but his other draft mates, Eric Hipwood, Ben Keays, Rhys Mathieson and Sam Skinner, may struggle for a spot in the team in the opening weeks.
Along with their newly acquired draft picks, Brisbane were also busy in the off-season improving the team with the pick-ups of Ryan Bastinac, Josh Walker and Tom Bell.
All three bring different skill-sets to the team, as Bastinac adds another experienced midfielder, Walker provides a target for the Lions going forward and Bell brings a sense of toughness to the midfield. All three are pretty much locks to be on the field in Round 1.
Despite Brisbane’s horror 2015, some positives can be taken out of the play of their solidified stars. Dayne Beams, Stefan Martin, Dayne Zorko and Mitch Robinson all finished in a four-way tie for the Lions’ best and fairest for 2015 and will look to build on excellent seasons.
With leaders Pearce Hanley, Daniel Rich and Tom Rockliff still on board, Brisbane have a solid number of established players on their list, players who should be able to help the club better its four wins from last season.
No one has high expectations for the Lions heading into 2016, and the team isn’t anyone’s pick for a shock finals appearance. This coming season should be about development and improving the culture around the club, but an improvement is still a must.
Best 22
B: Marco Paparone, Daniel Merrett, Daniel McStay
HB: Tom Cutler, Harris Andrews, Pearce Hanley
C: Lewis Taylor, Dayne Beams, Ryan Bastinac
HF: Dayne Zorko, Josh Walker, Allen Christensen
F: Josh Green, Josh Shache, Mitch Robinson
Foll: Stefan Martin, Tom Rockliff, Daniel Rich
INT: Darcy Gardiner, Tom Bell, Sam Mayes, Justin Clarke
MVP: Dayne Beams
Following his controversial move to Brisbane during the 2014 off-season, Beams silenced any doubts people may have had about his status as an elite AFL midfielder. Beams had a phenomenal debut season with the Lions, averaging 28.2 disposals, 14.5 kicks, 13.7 handballs, 4.5 marks and 4.2 tackles per game in just 16 appearances.
Beams missed Brisbane’s final five matches due to shoulder surgery, but led the Lions’ in the Brownlow Medal with nine votes. Expect that number to grow in 2016.
Future Star: Josh Schache
The aforementioned Schache is set to have a stellar first season due to his versatility as a big man. As mentioned, his goal tallies are truly incredible numbers, yet Schache is also an unbelievable athlete, as he recorded a score of 14.1 in the beep test during pre-draft testing.
For a player of Schache’s height, his elite-level endurance and athleticism will allow him to pinch-hit in the ruck when Martin needs a rest, and it further confirms his importance to the Lions team. There will be growing pains with Schache, as there is with every young player, but he is set to be an elite forward in the AFL for a very long time.
Make or Break: Sam Mayes
The eighth pick in the 2012 draft has suffered multiple seasons of inconsistent football throughout his career, and was in and out of the senior squad in 2015. Mayes averaged only 14.4 disposals per game in just 14 games, which followed 18 games in 2013 and 21 in 2014.
In both those seasons, Mayes averaged 16.7 disposals per game. Mayes’ best position is still in question and he will need to improve his game if he wishes to stay in Brisbane after 2016.
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.