Lachie Neale polled 31 Brownlow Medal votes in just 17 games to win by an astonishing 10 votes. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

BRISBANE
2020 record: 15 wins, 4 losses (4th)

THE INS
Joe Daniher (Essendon), Nakia Cockatoo (Geelong), Blake Coleman (Morningside), Harry Sharp (GWV Rebels), Henry Smith (Woodville-West Torrens), Deividas Uosis (Ireland), Carter Michael (Maroochydore)

THE OUTS
Stefan Martin (Western Bulldogs), Alex Witherden (West Coast), Allen Christensen (retired), Mitch Hinge (delisted – Adelaide), Matt Eagles (delisted), Corey Lyons (delisted), Sam Skinner (delisted), Jacob Allison (delisted), Toby Wooller (delisted), Cedric Cox (delisted)

THE STRENGTHS
Having the reigning Brownlow medallist, and arguably the best player in the competition, is a good place to start. Lachie Neale’s ascent to elite of the elite since joining the Lions has been as rapid as it has been startling. In a shortened season last year, Neale still polled 31 votes, which was more than previous winners Tom Mitchell (2018), Matt Priddis (2014), Gary Ablett (2013), Sam Mitchell (2012), Trent Cotchin (2012), Chris Judd (2010), Ablett (2009), Adam Cooney (2008), Jimmy Bartel (2007), Adam Goodes (2006), Ben Cousins (2005) and Judd (2004) finished with. Further highlighting his domination was that his winning margin of 10 votes was the greatest achieved since 1954, when Richmond’s Roy Wright saluted by the same margin. When you have a guy like Neale spearheading a midfield group that also includes captain Dayne Zorko, emerging star Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Lyons, young gun Jarrod Berry and human battering ram Mitch Robinson, it’s no mystery as to how Brisbane has become a top team in the last couple of years and finished one game short of a grand final appearance in 2020. The Lions’ backline is also rock solid with vice-captain and one of the best key defenders in the game Harris Andrews marshalling the troops. Daniel Rich is in close to career-best form, former Sun Callum Ah Chee has been a revelation down back, and veteran Grant Birchall replaced Luke Hodge with aplomb. Having a couple of All-Australians in Charlie Cameron and Daniher in attack doesn’t hurt, either. The Lions’ style of holding on to the ball, slowing the play down and waiting for the best option served them well last year – on differentials per game, they were ranked second for marks but last for playing on after taking a mark.

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THE WEAKNESSES
Despite finishing in the top four and making it to their first preliminary final in 16 years, inaccuracy was still a major issue for the Lions last year. Chris Fagan’s men were the least accurate team in the AFL, going at a terrible rate of 46 per cent. On differentials they were ranked No.1 for marks inside 50, while in total they ranked first for inside 50s as well as scores per inside 50, but came in at ninth for goals per inside 50. In fact, they only kicked more goals than points on eight occasions. The acquisition of Daniher is on the whole a very positive move, but is he the one that can straighten them up? That remains to be seen. When he’s on, he’s on, but far too often throughout his career he has been an unpredictable prospect when lining up, especially from close range. Two unlikely sources of inaccuracy are the biggest culprits in midfielders Zorko and McCluggage, who booted a woeful 17.36 combined last year. Inaccuracy didn’t cost them in the finals last year, but it did in 2019, and if they can’t fix their radar, you can bet it’ll cost them again when the whips are cracking in 2021. For the second year in a row, the finals heat got the better of the Lions, and they were totally outclassed by a more seasoned outfit in Geelong this time around. And this one really hurt, because they had a golden opportunity to win the flag with the season based largely in Queensland and the grand final staged at the Gabba. They’ll never get a better chance to win a premiership. Brisbane did take a stride forward by beating eventual premier Richmond in the qualifying final, but the Lions are now 1-3 from finals in the last two years, and they clearly still have a long way to go before becoming extremely resilient in the September furnace. With Stef Martin departing, the Lions are also quite thin in the ruck stocks. Oscar McInerney has been left to carry the can on his lonesome, basically. If he goes down, it will be left to the likes of Archie Smith, Tom Fullarton and possibly even Daniher to fill the void.

ONE TO WATCH
After having a breakout year as a midfielder/small forward, Zac Bailey looks set to take further significant steps in his development as a footballer next year. Bailey played every game last year and finished in the top 10 of the club’s best-and-fairest after averaging 13 touches a game, kicking 13 goals, and showing he was capable of playing in a variety of positions. The only way is up for the speedy 21-year-old, and his ability to cement himself a spot in such a strong side is testament to the standing he has at the club.

UNDER THE PUMP
Despite being part of the third best attack in the AFL last year, Daniel McStay looked lost at times and his output suffered as a result, as he managed just 11 goals from 17 games. He is capable of playing in defence, so maybe with Daniher arriving, a more permanent move down back might see him recapture his best form.

BEST 22
B: Grant Birchall, Darcy Gardiner, Marcus Adams
HB: Daniel Rich, Harris Andrews, Callum Ah Chee
C: Hugh McCluggage, Lachie Neale, Jarrod Berry
HF: Cam Rayner, Eric Hipwood, Zac Bailey
F: Charlie Cameron, Joe Daniher, Daniel McStay
R: Oscar McInerney, Jarrod Lyons, Dayne Zorko
Inter: Mitch Robinson, Lincoln McCarthy, Ryan Lester, Brandon Starcevich
Emerg: Noah Answerth, Jack Payne, Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Keidean Coleman

The return of Adams could further bolster an already-strong Brisbane line-up. Despite Payne’s appearance in the preliminary final as cover for the injured Gardiner, Adams gets the nod ahead of him in the best 22, and if the injury-prone former Bulldog can finally get his body right after just 38 games in five years, he has shown how effective he can be in the limited chances he’s had at senior footy. Speaking of overcoming persistent injuries, Cockatoo could serve as the ultimate free hit for the Lions if he too can put his fitness dramas behind him like another former Cat in McCarthy. At his best, he showed how brilliant he could be with Geelong, but he has not played a game since April 2018.