After several years of being top four and going so close, the Lions have gone hard via the trade period and the draft to take the next step as genuine contenders. Season 2023 looms as crunch time for this outfit who undoubtedly have the quality to feature on the last Saturday in September.
The arrivals of Josh Dunkley, Will Ashcroft, Jack Gunston and Conor McKenna have sent a ripple through the competition and put everyone on notice. The Lions mean business and are determined to make the most of a deep list that is in its prime.
Last season they again went deep into September, however, were unceremoniously dumped from the finals by a rampant Geelong. That follows their straight-sets exit in season 2021 and another preliminary final loss to the Cats in 2020.
Though they finished sixth on the ladder, the Lions won 15 games and were one win off a top-four spot given their healthy percentage. They didn't need the double chance in the end, knocking Richmond out narrowly before stunning reigning premiers Melbourne at the MCG.
See Also: Five burning questions: Melbourne Demons
Though the season ended on a sour note, the Lions have plenty of reasons to be optimistic heading into 2023. They are in their prime, boast one of the best on-ball brigades in the competition and have recruited elite talent all over the park.
Brisbane are going to be one of the great teams to watch in 2023, however, with so much potential also comes a heavy weight of expectation. Here are the burning questions ahead of this season for the Lions.
4. How big of a loss is Marcus Adams?
While not the most glamorous of players, Adams has proven to have been a dependable rock at the heart of the Brisbane backline when fully fit.
The Perth native played 18 matches for the Lions last season, sadly going down with a heavy concussion in August.
It's no coincidence that without him, the Lions struggled to contain Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch in week one of the finals, both big men finishing with three goals in a very tight contest. Likewise, the Cats ran rampant against them in the preliminary final, with Tom Hawkins booting four goals.
Without that stay-at-home tall in Adams, who averages 2.5 intercept marks a game (which ranks as above average), the Lions struggled to contain teams with two key forwards. His importance to their defensive structure is clear and his loss for what is being reported to be the entire 2023 season will hurt.
While they still have Harris Andrews and Darcy Gardiner, with Jack Payne and Darragh Joyce as backups, it's an area of the ground where depth is critical and losing a key pillar like Adams is likely to be felt sooner rather than later. Just how much it will impact their season remains to be seen but it's not an ideal start to a crucial year.
