Fresh from a Norm Smith Medal, the sky is the limit for young gun Will Ashcroft. Photo: AAP

BRISBANE
2024 record: 18 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw (1st)

THE INS
Sam Day (Gold Coast), Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons), Sam Marshall (Sandringham Dragons), Ty Gallop (Maroochydore)

THE OUTS
Joe Daniher (retired), Jarryd Lyons (retired), Harry Sharp (Melbourne), Jaxon Prior (delisted – Essendon), James Madden (delisted), Carter Michael (delisted), Kalin Lane (delisted)

THE STRENGTHS
This section is bursting when you’re the reigning premier, and Brisbane is no exception. Perhaps the scariest thing about the Lions is their incredible depth. Having just won the flag in emphatic fashion, they now have the enviable luxury of reintroducing Oscar McInerney (shoulder), Keidean Coleman (knee), Lincoln McCarthy (knee) and Darcy Gardiner (knee) to the side, after they all missed the grand final due to injury, as well as Tom Doedee (knee), who is yet to make his club debut since crossing from Adelaide for the 2024 season. And they’re not all guaranteed their spots back either, so dominant was Brisbane on grand final day. The Lions also get to salivate over the prospect of the first full year from Norm Smith Medalist Will Ashcroft, who only returned in Round 16 last season from a knee injury of his own. And if that wasn’t enough, Brisbane picked up highly-rated father-son and academy selections Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall respectively in the draft. If you thought Brisbane was going to be a “one-and-done” proposition, you should think again. The Lions are here to stay as contenders for the foreseeable future. And one of the main reasons for that is that they have arguably the best midfield in the league, anchored by Lachie Neale, Will Ashcroft, Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage. The fact that they can also rotate Dayne Zorko, Callum Ah Chee, Zac Bailey, Cam Rayner, Jarrod Berry and Jaspa Fletcher through there makes them even more ominous. They are the No.1 team for contested possessions, second for clearances and second for inside 50s, so it’s little wonder that they won 14 of their last 16 games in 2024. McInerney is one of the preeminent ruckmen in the league and with the No.2 defence in the competition, their backline was already fantastic with Harris Andrews, Zorko, Brandon Starcevich, Jack Payne, Darcy Wilmot and Conor McKenna – now they get to inject Coleman and Doedee as well. The Lions know how to spread the goalkicking load too, and with eight players kicking over 20 majors last year, they had the fifth best attack. The Lions became the tempo kings last year, averaging 27 more marks than their opponents every game, making them comfortably the top-ranked team in that department.

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THE WEAKNESSES
The only elephant in the room is Joe Daniher’s early retirement. The former Bomber proved the critics wrong to become a big-time September hero and a driving force behind the Lions’ flag. Who could forget his inspirational performance against GWS in the semi-final when they trailed the Giants by 44 points up at Giants Stadium? The four-goal effort against Sam Taylor was truly the stuff of legend. It goes without saying Daniher is going to be hard to replace. Last year, Brisbane was fourth for contested marks and third for marks inside 50, and Daniher was ranked third and first respectively at the club in those stats, not to mention he was also their leading goalkicker with 58. Brisbane has brought in former Gold Coast veteran Sam Day to fill the void, but there’s no way he’ll be able to replicate what Daniher has done for Brisbane, especially in the last two finals series. McInerney, a competent pinch-hit forward, might have to help out. Beyond the loss of Daniher, you would only be nitpicking for weaknesses, but they would want to avoid another slow start (3-5) to give themselves the best chance of finishing top four and avoiding three road trips in the finals. They also ranked last for tackles last year.

ONE TO WATCH
Will Ashcroft has played just 31 games. I repeat: Will Ashcroft has played just 31 games. It might not seem like it considering how much of a superstar he’s looked like from the moment he debuted, and the fact he became both the second-youngest and second-fastest Norm Smith Medallist last year. But it is so exciting to think just how good he could be in 2025 with a full run at it injury-free. A Brownlow is not out of the question – that’s how good the kid is.

UNDER THE PUMP
Deven Robertson enters the final year of his contract under a big cloud. After such an impressive 2023 campaign, which included a grand final appearance, he could only manage two games last year as he slipped down the midfield pecking order dramatically. Was linked to West Coast during the trade period, but a deal couldn’t be done. Would not surprise to see him join the Eagles if he has a similar season this year to last.

BEST 23
B: Brandon Starcevich, Jack Payne, Tom Doedee
HB: Keidean Coleman, Harris Andrews, Dayne Zorko
C: Jaspa Fletcher, Josh Dunkley, Hugh McCluggage
HF: Callum Ah Chee, Eric Hipwood, Zac Bailey
F: Kai Lohmann, Sam Day, Cam Rayner
R: Oscar McInerney, Lachie Neale, Will Ashcroft
Inter: Jarrod Berry, Darcy Wilmot, Logan Morris, Charlie Cameron, Conor McKenna
Emerg: Ryan Lester, Noah Answerth, Lincoln McCarthy

So strong is the Brisbane line-up that premiership players Ryan Lester and Noah Answerth are emergencies and Darcy Fort makes way for McInerney. Although you could see a world where McInerney is used more as a forward on occasion, which would see Fort get more game time. Charlie Cameron might’ve kicked 44 goals last year, but there were plenty of signs that suggested he is slowing down, so he gets moved to the bench, and McCarthy will now have to fight for his spot back with the emergence of Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris. There’s no room for Levi Ashcroft or Marshall right now, but they could easily break their way in sooner than later. Doedee edged out fellow ACL victim Gardiner for the third key defensive spot.

*all team stat rankings mentioned are based on differentials, not totals (apart from overall offence and defence).