Jarrod Berry (left), coach Chris Fagan and Rhys Mathieson belt out the theme song after beating Hawthorn in round 17 last season. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

BRISBANE 2018 record: 5 wins, 17 losses (15th).

THE INS
Lachie Neale (Fremantle), Jarryd Lyons (Gold Coast), Marcus Adams (Western Bulldogs), Lincoln McCarthy (Geelong), Ely Smith (Murray Bushrangers), Tom Berry (GWV Rebels), Tom Joyce (East Fremantle), Connor McFadyen (Wilston Grange), Noah Answerth (Oakleigh Chargers), Tom Fullarton (Brisbane Bullets – NBL), James Madden (Dublin – GAA).

THE OUTS
Dayne Beams (Collingwood), Sam Mayes (Port Adelaide), Cian Hanley (retired), Rohan Bewick (delisted), Tom Bell (delisted), Marco Paparone (delisted), Claye Beams (delisted), Jake Barrett (delisted), Liam Dawson (delisted), Jack Frost (retired).

THE STRENGTHS
Under the guidance of Chris Fagan, something special seems to be brewing up at the Gabba. The go-home factor has been sorted among the youngsters, and players genuinely appear as though they want to play for Fagan and the Lions. That youthful enthusiasm translated to on-field performances in 2018 and while they may have only won five games, they came awfully close to winning a host of others, as their percentage of 89.1 suggested. Their new-found status as a ‘destination club’ was underscored by the recruitments of Neale and Adams, in particular. And with the likes of Eric Hipwood, Harris Andrews, Alex Witherden, Cam Rayner and Hugh McCluggage spearheading their next generation, there is plenty for the Lions to be excited about. Last season, on differentials, the Lions ranked second for marks, sixth for contested marks – thanks largely to Daniel McStay, Andrews, Oscar McInerney, Hipwood and Josh Walker – and sixth for clearances. They’ll be hoping that Neale and Jarryd Lyons will be able to offset the loss of Beams and ensure they’re still in the top bracket for clearances in 2019.

THE WEAKNESSES
No matter how good and exciting the Lions have looked under Fagan, they just keep on losing. They’ve got to be at a stage now where they’re sick and tired of hearing they’re “one of the best bottom four teams in history” or they’ll make no progress at all. It’s now Fagan’s third year in charge and there are no more excuses. They have to stop resting on their laurels and aim for 10 wins next year. In 2018, on differentials, the Lions ranked 14th for contested possessions, 12th for disposals and 11th for marks inside 50. In terms of totals, they ranked 14th for inside 50s, 11th for goals per inside 50 and had the 11th-ranked attack coupled with the fourth-worst defence. So even with Beams in the team, they struggled for meaningful time in possession of the footy, which is why they not only found it so difficult to get the ball forward but also conceded the third most inside 50s in the competition.

ONE TO WATCH
Hipwood looks ready to take his career to the next level in 2019 after another very impressive season. He didn’t miss a game this year and finished with a team-high 37 goals, not bad going for a 20-year-old key forward in a five-win team. Hipwood has been on an upward curve year-on-year since his debut, and it wouldn’t surprise if he booted 50-60 goals next year and really announced himself.

UNDER THE PUMP
It might sound a bit harsh but Lewis Taylor seems to be just cruising along after five years in the AFL. No doubt he is a very talented player, but he certainly hasn’t reached his full potential, and that’s saying something because he could be a genuine A-grader if he really wanted it badly enough. With 107 games now to his credit, the one-time Rising Star winner will be 24 next year and the time has come for him to really reach for the stars.

BEST 22
B: Luke Hodge, Harris Andrews, Marcus Adams
HB: Alex Witherden, Darcy Gardiner, Daniel Rich
C: Lachie Neale, Mitch Robinson, Tom Cutler
HF: Lewis Taylor, Daniel McStay, Allen Christensen
F: Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Oscar McInerney
R: Stefan Martin, Dayne Zorko, Jarryd Lyons
Inter: Cam Rayner, Hugh McCluggage, Nick Robertson, Jarrod Berry
Emerg: Josh Walker, Ryan Lester, Rhys Mathieson, Zac Bailey

New recruits Neale, Lyons and Adams all slot straight into the Lions’ best 22. Foot and ankle injuries restricted Adams to just 27 games in three years at the Bulldogs, but when fit he has proven to be a very dependable key defender. And his recruitment will allow McStay to remain settled in the forward line after spending most of his career as a swing man. The return of the brilliant Cameron from injury will be a huge boost, and Walker can consider himself a bit stiff to find himself in the emergencies after finishing the year strongly covering for the injured Andrews in defence.