Last Year
2009 saw Michael Voss coach his first AFL season, and most people would see it as successful. The Lions finished 6th on the ladder, made finals, and even won their first final. The young players started to mature well under the leadership of the older players. The Lions were heavily involved in trade week, indicating they believe themselves to be on the cusp of something great.
Backline
Daniel Merret will be the leader in 2010 after his great 2009 season. Another standout was Ashley McGrath who’s ability to run off the half back line to create an attack was a valuable asset to the team. If he is able to improve even further on his 2009 performance he will play a vital role for the Lions. Joel Patful and Josh Drummond are the other two defenders who will play key rolesin 2009. Both have played between 60 and 80 matches so they have experience but are still only 25 and 26 respectively so there is plenty of footy left in them. Matthew Maguire was also picked up from St Kilda and should add some more experience and class to the backline. If he can get fit then he could still add something to the team.
Midfield
This has been a strength of Brisbane’s for some time now. With the likes of Simon Black and Luke Power leading the way, this midfield looks to be very dangerous when it’s on form. Travis Johnstone was a good pick up after he left Melbourne and went to the Lions as he had a very solid year. The real excitement lies with 2009 Rising Star winner Daniel Rich. Rich burst onto the scene in 2009 in his first season of AFL footy and never looked back. He slotted right into the Lions midfield and looked right at home. It will be interesting to see how he backs up his first year in 2010. Justin Sherman and Michael Rischitelli fill out the lineup and neither is just a gap filler. Each one is a great footballer in their own rights and help to prove the Lions have no issues in their midfield.
Forwards
Well won’t this be a treat to watch in 2010. The Lions may have lost Daniel Bradshaw at the end of 2009 but I’m sure they are not too concerned having picked up Coleman Medalist Brendan Fevola during trade week. This means the Lions now have the two highest goal scorers for 2009 in Fevola and Jonathan Brown, making this attack one of the most dangerous in the league. Having said that, there is not many other specialist forwards who can support the two big men. Support will likely be provided by James Polkinghorne, who played 20 games for 15 goals last year, Aamon Buchanan, and Brent Staker. Buchanan and Staker were both traded to the Lions from Sydney and West Coast respectively during the 2009 trade week. Polkinghorne is the one who needs to step up the most out of those three. He is the youngest and has now had a good taste of AFL level footy. If he is to hold a place in the team he needs to return more goals, but with Fevola and Brown around him there might be less pressure to do so.
Rucks
Mitch Clark had a fantastic 2009 and will no doubt be called upon to back that up in 2010. He surprised many with his ability to take high flying marks throughout the season and his efforts around the ground were great. Some say he was unlucky to miss out on All Australian selection. Jamie Charman looks fit and raring to go after sustaining an ankle injury that required a full reconstruction last season, so if he returns to his best the Lions look good. Also, if Matthew Leuenberger is able to get up and have an injury free year then this ruck department would be pretty decent.
Summary
I don’t know that the Lions will be able to improve much on 2009 but they should definitely be playing finals again. The forward structure will be interesting with the ball being shared between Brown and Fevola and if each of them can kick even 50-60 goals each the lions will be hard to stop when on form.
Expected Finish: 5th- 7th
Best 22
FB: Josh Drummond, Daniel Merret, Joel Patfull
HB: Jed Adcock, Matt Maguire, Ashley McGrath
C: Justin Sherman, Michael Rischitelli, Daniel Rich
HF: James Polkinghorne, Jonathan Brown , Brent Staker
FF: Aamon Buchanan, Brendan Fevola, Jared Brennan
Fol: Jamie Charman, Luke Power, Simon Black
Int: Mitch Clark, Troy Selwood, Travis Johnstone, Jack Redden
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Obviously written by a Collingwood supporter! Go lions forever!
Nope.
Unless he's a closet one???
the lions have given themselves a pretty short window. they've recruited older guys, and their guns are entering their autumn years (except rich) if they don't win the flag in the next three years they will fall hard. i reckon they'll snatch one flag at least in that time.
[...] 5th-7th 2009 saw Michael Voss coach his first AFL season, and most people would see it as successful. The Lions finished 6th on the ladder, made finals, and even won their first final. The young players started to mature well under the leadership of the older players. The Lions were heavily involved in trade week, indicating they believe themselves to be on the cusp of something great. See the preview here. [...]