Doubt is surely starting to enter the mind of the Brisbane faithful. After three straight seasons of blowing out in the finals, can they jump the final hurdle?
Finishes of second and fourth have resulted in two straight-set exits and a prelim loss in 2020.
The arrival of spearhead Joe Daniher was touted as the final key to finally making the grand final, and while the ex-Bomber was a large asset in their success, expectations will rise this season.
While that obviously didn't occur, the Lions are still in good stead to take the next step forward.
Off-season moves
Ins: Darcy Fort (Geelong Cats, 2022), Kai Lohmann (2023), James Tunstil (2023), Darcy Wilmot (2023)
Outs: Connor Ballenden (delisted), Grant Birchall (retired), Tom Joyce (delisted), Archie Smith (retired), Brock Smith (delisted), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (inactive)
Strengths
Attacking power: Brisbane were a goalkicking machine in 2021, finishing the season with more goals than any other side.
The recruitment of Joe Daniher proved to be a success, adding an extra dimension to their forward line. In fact, he was the only player to kick a goal in every home and away round this season across the AFL.
Combine that with fellow talls Eric Hipwood and Daniel McStay as well as the electric Charlie Cameron and Lincoln McCarthy, and you may have the most lethal forward line in the competition.
The recruitment of ruck Darcy Fort also allows Oscar McInerney to go up forward if Fagan wants another tall option.
Star midfield: The Lions' midfield is absolutely star-studded. Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons, captain Dayne Zorko and wingman Hugh McCluggage are all A-graders. Any team with those names would be pretty good.
Throw in the explosive Zac Bailey and Cam Rayner, and the tough Mitch Robinson, and you have a genuine top tier engine room.
Bailey had a breakout season last year, and will only benefit when Rayner returns, probably returning to the forward line to make it even more dangerous.
The key characteristic of this group is toughness.
