The Brisbane Lions tasted premiership success in 2024, meaning their best 22 will be tough to crack but they’ve got a long list of quality players returning from injury to consider.
Plus the Lions have drafted in one of the best prospects in this year’s crop, meaning they’re going to be very relevant.
Fixture
As a northern club, Brisbane play Opening Round meaning they’ve got an early bye (Round 3), which is a turn-off. They do have the last of the mid-season byes in Round 16 which is a positive though.
Squad Changes
Ins
Levi Ashcroft (No.5 draft pick, father-son), Sam Day (Pre-Season Draft), Ty Gallop (No. 42 draft pick, Academy), Sam Marshall (No.25 draft pick, Academy)
Outs
Joe Daniher (retired), Kalin Lane (delisted), Jarryd Lyons (retired), James Madden (delisted), Carter Michael (delisted), Jaxon Prior (delisted), Harry Sharp (trade, Melbourne)
Snapshot
The reigning premiers have lost enigmatic forward Joe Daniher to retirement, with ex-Gold Coast utility Sam Day added as cover, but that spot will be open. Levi Ashcroft is a highly-rated young addition via the father-son rule.
Injury returns
The Lions copped a bunch of season-ending ACL injuries last year, so there’s a few players with discounted price to consider, plus slot into their best 22.
Top of the list is Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft who played 9 home-and-away games, so will get a discount on his average. He showcased his quality across the 4 finals, including 109/128 (AF/SC) in the Grand Final.
Key back Tom Doedee, who was recruited from Adelaide ahead of the 2024 season, sustained another ACL injury in March last year and is on the comeback trail. Similarly, half-back Keidean Coleman will be a player of interest, having sustained an ACL injury in Opening Round last season. Darcy Gardiner and Lincoln McCarthy are in the same boat too.
Mainstays
Two-time Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale will attract ownership given his affinity to winning the footy, while veteran Dayne Zorko had one of the best seasons of his career off the half-back flank. He’s a defender only, losing forward status this year.
Room for improvement
Back-up midfielder Deven Robertson is probably the one who could break into the 22 and become a value pick, having only played 2 games last year, both early in the season.
With Daniher gone, there’s a tall forward/back-up ruck spot open and someone like ex-Hawthorn mid-season draftee Brandon Ryan could get a crack. Darcy Fort and Sam Day are among the alternatives too.
Rookies
Son and brother of guns, Levi Ashcroft, will be highly owned this year given his pedigree as a two-time Under-18 All-Australian who has won three premiership with Sandringham Dragons. He’s averaged 26 disposals for Vic Metro across the past 2 AFL U18 Championships, so he’s a ball-winner and accumulator. The question is can he break into the reigning premiers’ best side?
