Best 22
B: Darcy Gardiner, Daniel Merrett, Ryan Lester
HB: Daniel Rich, Justin Clarke, Claye Beams
C: Jed Adcock, Dayne Beams, Pearce Hanley
HF: Allen Christensen, Michael Close, Lewy Taylor
F: Josh Green, Dan McStay, Stefan Martin
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Tom Rockliff, Dayne Zorko
I/C: James Aish, Jack Redden, Mitch Robinson
Sub: Rohan Bewick
Health of the list
What had been an exceptional pre-season for the Lions lost its gloss with the long-term hip injury to Pearce Hanley, which will see the star Irishman sidelined until after the mid-season break. Allen Christensen got a late start following back surgery, but is now running into nice shape, while injury-prone ruckmen Matthew Leuenberger and Stefan Martin also look in fine fettle after strong pre-seasons.
The big questions
Can they kick enough goals?
With their key position forwards still a year or two from developing, the Lions will rely on their nippy forward line and midfielders for goals. With Green, Zorko, Christensen, Taylor, Beams and Rockliff – it might be unconventional, but - there are enough avenues to score if they're given the supply.
Can Leuenberger and Martin stay fit? And work together?
If – and it's a big if given their history – they can stay on the park for the entire season, the Leuenberger-Martin combination could be one of the most devastating in the AFL. Leuenberger's agility and Martin's brute force should ensure both will compete strongly not only in the ruck, but when they're resting forward as well.
How will Dayne Beams cope with being tagged every week?
With Hanley sitting in the grandstand and Rich playing off half-back, Beams will always be the No.1 target of opposition stoppers. Playing alongside Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan for his entire career, it will be a new challenge for Beams, but you'd expect class to prevail in the end.
Summer standout: Ryan Lester
After starting as a half-forward and moving to the inside midfield role in recent years, Lester has put his hand up to take over Joel Patfull's backline spot. He has trained the house down and not only improved physically, but also poured in hours and hours of extra work to learn his new role.
Fantasy cash cow: Daniel Rich
After missing all but three matches last season with an ACL injury, Rich has had a great pre-season and is ready to rock come round one. Despite being used at half-back rather than his former midfield role, Rich is just $268,000, and with the Lions looking for him as often as possible when they transition to attack, he should easily exceed that value.
Daniel Rich is ready to go after missing most of 2014 with injury. Picture: AFL Media
Sudden impact: Dayne Beams
Hard to go past the star Collingwood recruit who comes to the Lions with a premiership and Copeland Trophy. Beams is in the prime of his career at the age of 25, has 110 games under his belt and is ready to fire after a strong first pre-season at his new club. Will get more opposition attention, but should have plenty of help around him with Rockliff, Redden, Zorko and co.
It's crunch time for… Matthew Leuenberger
The big West Australian becomes a free agent at the end of the year, and with his 2014 ruined by knee and Achilles problems, Leuenberger needs a good season. He is valued enormously at the Lions, but for his own peace of mind, would love to play close to every week and re-assert himself as one of the AFL's premier ruckmen.
Pivotal match: round three v Richmond (Gabba)
While the season opener in front of a near-capacity Gabba crowd against Collingwood is crucial, this match two weeks later could top it. No matter what happens in the first fortnight (they have North Melbourne in between), both supporters and the team will have plenty of belief entering week three. A win over the Tigers – a team the Lions have a shocking record against – will only fuel that belief. A loss could get a bit of the "here we go again" going among fans.
The Brisbane Lions will have a good year if…
They improve defensively. Last season there were too many times the opposition rattled up goals in a hurry and took the game away in a single quarter. We're not just talking the back six, it's defence all over the ground. The Lions have enough speed and skill to score if they're given the chance, but must give themselves that chance by keeping the opposition quiet.
AFL.com.au consensus predicted ladder finish: 12th
Premiership clock: The young Lions are not in their window yet, but with an A-grade midfield and a developing list, the future is definitely bright up north.
