Vendetta Sports Media is once again covering Australian Rules Football in 2022. We’ve already taken a look at the prospects of the Adelaide Crows. Today we continue our AFL season preview series with an examination of the Brisbane Lions.
Undoubtedly one of the most talented sides in the AFL, Brisbane have come up short in the finals over the past couple of seasons. Is this the year the Lions finally put it all together?
Season 2021
4th position: 15 wins, 7 losses, 133.3%.
Brisbane stumbled out of the blocks last year, losing three of their opening four games, before reeling off a run of 10 wins in 11 to right the ship. They barely made the top four, controversially scraping in with a last minute behind against West Coast in round 23.
Once in the finals, the wheels once again fell of for Brisbane. They lost by a point to eventual Grand Finalists the Western Bulldogs in perhaps the most exciting game of the entire finals series, before getting comfortably beaten by Melbourne, who were just warming up on their way to a historic premiership.
Their best was devastating, evidenced by ruthless performances against fellow finalists Geelong, Western Sydney and Port Adelaide. They were also capable of laying eggs against also rans like St Kildand Hawthorn.
Injuries constantly hampered the Lions, who lost former 1st overall pick Cam Rayner to a knee injury in the preseason, before losing the outstanding forward Eric Hipwood to the same injury – Hipwood isn’t expected back on the field until at least May. In addition, Daniel McStay, Ryan Lester, Darcy Gardiner and 2020 Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale all missed significant chunks of the season.
Key ins: Darcy Fort (Geelong), Kai Lohmann, Darcy Wilmot, James Tunstil (all draft)
Key outs: Grant Birchall, Archie Smith (both retired), Connor Ballenden, Brock Smith, Tom Joyce (all released), Cam Ellis-Yolman (inactive)
The Lions kicked the most goals in the AFL in 2021 and there’s a strong case that Brisbane possess the best forward line in the entire AFL. Joe Daniher’s first season at the Gabba was a qualified success. He kicked 45 goals in the home and away season and was the only man in the league to kick a major in each and every round. He also formed an almost telepathic understanding with the electric Charlie Cameron. That said, Daniher never really grabbed a game by the throat at any point. The soon to be 28 year old can be truly unplayable for periods, but he’s never really found the ability to string together five or six weeks of domination. If he doesn’t do it this year, has the ‘Daniher is elite’ conversation passed? Daniher is joined by Cameron, McStay, 2021 breakout star Zac Bailey, the underrated Lincoln McCarthy and Rayner (as well as, eventually, Hipwood) in a genuine ‘pick your poison’ forward group.
They’re fed by one of the best midfields in the competition (though they will be without Cam Ellis-Yolman, who is yet to meet the AFL’s COVID protocol requirements), led by the irrepressible Neale and the dynamic Jarryd Lyons. Their class on the ball is complemented by the run-and-carry of Hugh McCluggage and the grit of Mitch Robinson and club captain Dayne Zorko. Bailey and Rayner will also see significant time in the middle of the park. The impressive Oscar McInerny will be spelled in the ruck by Darcy Fort, who is the latest former Cat to make the move north. Whilst the midfield packs of the Demons and Bulldogs are clearly a half step above the Lions engine room, this is still a formidable outfit.
Defensively, Brisbane are well organised and tough as nails. Harris Andrews is perhaps the premier full back in the competition, Brandon Starcevich and Marcus Adams able lieutenants. Veteran half back Daniel Rich has a left boot that would put Christy Brown to shame and still drifts forward to score the odd goal.
Where Brisbane are found lacking is defensive speed. That sees the Lions relying on their precise ball use out of defense and also sees them prone to getting carved up by smaller, quicker forwards. Callum Ah Chee is fast, but maddeningly inconsistent and the rest of the backline, whilst classy and resilient, is somewhat one paced. Look for rookie Darcy Wilmot to get a chance to be that sorely missed line breaker from half back, as well as another youngster in 21 year old Keidan Coleman, who the Lions are attempting to covert from a forward to a halfback.
Prediction: 3rd
Packed with talent from top to bottom and with a track record of racking up home and away wins for fun, there is no doubt in this writers mind that Brisbane will secure another top four finish.
Where the doubts creep in, however, is once the finals come around. Does this group have what it takes to get over whatever it is that sees them shrink when the spotlight shines brightest?
