Only three short years ago, the Brisbane Lions had copped their second wooden spoon since the merger, which they followed with a disappointing 15th-placed finish in 2018 punctuated by seven losses within three goals and a percentage of 89.1 per cent.
However, after second-place finishes in the past two seasons, the resurgent Lions have fine-tuned their list in these past two offseasons in order to challenge for a flag in 2021.
The head-hunting of Bombers former father-son Joe Daniher in free agency opened a stunning trade period where the Lions also traded cheaply for Nakia Cockatoo, an unfulfilled AFL talent and former first-round draft pick with family connections in the Northern Territory and Queensland.
A couple of players that the club wasn’t able to retain were Cedric Cox and Mitch Hinge, who returned to their home states of Western Australia and SA, the former still hoping to win a spot at either of the Western Australia clubs and the latter gaining a spot on Adelaide’s list in delisted free agency.
Due to their preliminary final finish, Brisbane went to the trade table and executed a tranche of deft trades with an eye to this year’s draft and 2021, moving up and back to both secure optimal draft position in 2020 to match bids on Academy talent and move up to get a second future first-round pick via Melbourne.
On draft night, the Lions were surprised by Collingwood bidding on star Lions Academy prospect, Blake Coleman at pick 24. However, with judicious pick trading, they were easily able to match the bid as well as remain in the mix for another shot at the top of the third round.
Unfortunately, the Lions missed out on drafting big ruckman, Samson Ryan, who had just aged out of their academy while the club had a surplus of ruckmen. However, when he got drafted by Richmond (the fourth Lions Academy player to become a Tiger), the Lions instead picked the new AFL Draft Combine 2km time trial record-breaker, Harry Sharp.
Perhaps due to missing on their own academy ruck prospect, Brisbane next picked Henry Smith, a ruck forward from Woodville West Torrens.
This is very much a project player, having played only at under-18s level and missing out on the usual development in his draft year to work on ruck craft, yet he will be joining a strong ruck division and have time to develop.
The Brisbane Lions used up their Category A rookie spots by shifting back re-rookied players from their primary list, however, they did have the opportunity to fill both Category B rookie spots with previously announced Irish Gaelic Football goalkeeper, Deividas Uosis, plus Daniel Rich clone, Carter Michael, from the Lions Academy.
The Lions have kept a primary list spot available for potential pre-season or Mid-season acquisitions to fit list needs in the case of significant injuries, with the only carry over long term injury being Connor McFadyen, who is expected to return in the second half of the season.
Brisbane has put in an extended rebuild and is heading into the “win now” recruitment policy of their wide open premiership window by gambling on their medical department to cure Daniher’s groin and Cockatoo’s hamstrings, along with adding some talented 18-year-olds to their already formidable list.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
I like the list and the style they play, they have invested in youth and still been able to bring in players at the right age for success and aging stars to do the on-field coaching, Brisbane and St Kilda are like for like to me, both have had the get up and go to bring success, time will tell. Brisbane have players to win the ball at ground level and players on the outside that can deliver so I see the Daniher trade as a huge bonus IF the stars line up right for him and his body, Cockatoo could be the best player in 2021 by seasons end, his outside run and speed with the ball in hand will only add to Brisbane's scoring. Its good to have one good side north of Melbourne, lets hope GCS and Sydney can get it right, not sure on GCS but Sydney need to be better..
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I think Stef wanted out, it was a mutual thing. He wants to finish up down in Melbourne and obviously the club is trying to do the right thing by him. He'd have been expensive to keep and we haven't got a huge amount of cash to spare with all our up and coming stars. We just threw a fair bit to retain Charlie Cameron. If Daniher is in the ruck in the forward 50 I hope he just lets the other ruck win it and takes as little risk as possible.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
It was simply a matter of needing to bring in a long term replacement. The Lions wanted Samson Ryan, but they got Henry Smith. There are plenty of clubs with weaker ruck divisions. Geelong have Rhys Stanley and no true back-up with senior experience, but it hasn't stopped them being elite. Sydney's rucks aren't as solid as Brisbane's and even the Suns and West Coast have depth issues if their number one big man goes down. The average back up ruck wage is over $500K, so you just can't keep 3 on your list unless one of them has a bad injury.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
It was good with big Stef in charge now I'd say it's one of the weaker ruck divisions in the league, if not the weakest period. I wouldn't be risking Daniher in there, not with his injury history. I can't understand why they let Martin go, he would have been good backup to McInerney.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
In 2019-2020, the Lions had Stef Martin, Oscar McInerney, Archie Smith and a greenhorn Tom Fullarton. That's what I call a very strong ruck division, which meant that they didn't draft their own Academy ruckman, Samson Ryan. This trade period, Brisbane lost Stef Martin and then in the draft they were beaten to the bidding on Ryan by Richmond and weren't able to match because he'd aged out of the Academy. The Lions wanted Ryan, but settled for Henry Smith. With McInerney becoming fulltime number one ruckman and Archie Smith serving as a backup, the Lions can continue to develop Fullarton as a forward with chop out potential and there is this new recruit called Joe Daniher who does ok chopping too. It's a strong ruck division that would have been even stronger had Brisbane prioritised bringing in the player they developed in their Academy for 4 years, 206cm, 96kg hulking big Samson Ryan, who joins Mabior Chol, Noah Cumberland and Will Martyn at Richmond and their very strong ruck division (but injury depleted) of Ivan Soldo, Toby Nankervis, Callum Coleman-Jones, Mate Colina (209cm, 111kg) plus Bigoa Nyuon, Noah Balta plus Chol.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Big O will do just fine in the ruck, but if he goes down we are in a bit of deep shtuck I'd say. Archie Smith ain't much of a ruckman or footballer full stop. He can tap it down and that's about it.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Who are these gun ruckman you speak of? Smith and McInerney? Hmmmm, looks more like a weakness than a strength.