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Brisbane Lions players of the year and season review

Coach Justin Leppitsch has been handed his marching orders. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
Roar Guru
31st August, 2016
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The Lions had a horror season – winning just three games – which continued when they sacked their coach, Justin Leppitsch.

While they weren’t expected to perform well this year, they were expected to be somewhat competitive. But when you consider ten of their losses have been by over ten goals this season, they are easy beats.

They are one of only two teams to have no All Australian nominations though this is hardly surprising.

One player who would have come close though would have been Tom Rockliff, Brisbane’s main man. Other players who have had good seasons are Dayne Zorko and Mitch Robinson.

Rockliff has been a solid midfielder once again this year for the Lions, and should take out the best and fairest. He leads his team for disposals, averaging an impressive 30 per game, and averages the most score involvements, with seven.

For many games, he is the only player on the field that is keeping the deficit from blowing out above 80-90 points. Can play as an endurance midfielder or handy on the forward flank? He is clever innovative and inventive making him entertaining to watch when at his best. His official player rating of 88, which is fifth at the lions, doesn’t do justice to his importance to the team but Rockliff’s captaincy will come under scrutiny in the off-season because of the lion’s performances.

Dayne Zorko is a handy player to have in your team and he is only improving. 2016 was probably his best season leading the Lions’ goalkicking, with 23 goals as well as metres gained per match. It is extraordinary that a player can both lead his side for a defensive and attacking stat, but he has great versatility and rarely has a very bad day.

He has courage and grit, and no doubt still has room to improve. Something he wouldn’t be proud of would be his turnover count. He averages three turnovers a game and a turnover every almost two disposals in pressure situations. As the lions improve, he will improve and his experience will be important in the years to come as the lions keep playing younger players

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Journeyman Mitch Robinson mostly had a well-rounded season, despite some lows. It has probably been his best season for Brisbane this year, in which he leads the club for contested possessions and clearances. One wo never gives up and loves some fun from time to time, he is an essential leader at the club being a rare veteran. While he may be part the fruitful part of his career, he is still one opposition players should watch out for especially when at his fiery, hard nut best

The lions in 2017 under a new senior coach, possibly captain and some new faces around the club simply must be more competitive to give the young players, fans and spectators some hope. It will likely be a gradual progress back to the top eight and six wins would be achievable and while it seems like not much, it will be double the figure of this year should they achieve this.

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