Brisbane Lions 2023 AFL Preview & Predictions

<p>Last season the Brisbane Lions once again fell one game short of their first Grand Final appearance since 2004, sent packing in the preliminary final by a ruthless Geelong team.</p> <p>After roughly 15 years in the doldrums, the Lions are once again an established top eight team and are genuine contenders for the flag.</p> <p>Despite finishing last season outside the top four, they managed to battle their way to an unlikely preliminary final appearance.&nbsp;</p> <p>While they were mauled by the Cats on that occasion, the way they performed in their other finals games to get there will have filled them with a strong sense of confidence and belief.</p> <p>Some of that confidence may have been knocked out of them by the 71-point loss to eventual champions Geelong, but if the Lions can keep their wits about them and finish in the top four a first flag in 20 years is not out of the question.</p> <p>Can the Lions finally put it all together, make the Grand Final and win it all? Or will they stumble at one of the final hurdles yet again?</p> <p>Our Brisbane Lions’ preview for the upcoming AFL season is below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><em><strong>Will Ashcroft (No. 2 draft pick, father-son)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Shadeau Brain (Category B rookie)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Josh Dunkley (Western Bulldogs)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Jaspa Fletcher (No. 12 draft pick, father-son)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Darragh Joyce (Supplemental selection period)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Darryl McDowell-White jnr (Category B rookie)</strong></em></li> <li><em><strong>Conor McKenna (Supplemental selection period)</strong></em></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>While there has been plenty of transfer activity from the Lions, one signing is set to dominate all the preseason headlines.</p> <p>Number two overall draft pick Will Ashcroft was snapped up by the Lions under the AFL’s famous father-son rule.</p> <p>Ashcroft is the son of three-time premiership winning Lion Marcus Ashcroft and joins the club amongst a flurry of hype.</p> <p>While he may not immediately feature for the Lions as he is still only 18 years old, the young midfielder has been touted as one of the stars of the future.</p> <p>Other notable additions include Darragh Joyce who has decided to get away from the St Kilda curse and experienced key forward Jack Gunston who has joined from Hawthorn.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses&nbsp;</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Tom Berry (Gold Coast Suns)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Mitchell Cox (Delisted)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Connor McFadyen (Delisted)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Dan McStay (Collingwood)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Mitch Robinson (Retired)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Ely Smith (Delisted)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Deividas Uosis (Delisted)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After seven seasons with the Lions, midfielder Mitch Robinson has decided to hang up the boots.</p> <p>The man they call Mad Dog kicked 71 goals in his spell at the club and takes 247 games worth of first grade experience with him.</p> <p>Young forward Tom Berry has moved to interstate rivals the Suns in search of more regular game time, while a number of other players such as Mitchell Cox, Connor McFadyen and Ely Smith have been delisted by the club.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>&nbsp;</h3>

<h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Cam Rayner</strong></em></p> <p>Exciting young forward Cam Rayner has now played in the AFL for five seasons despite still only being 23 years of age.</p> <p>The former number one overall draft pick had his best year in front of goal for the Lions last season, kicking 24 goals in 24 games.</p> <p>This goal a game consistency seems to be a trend for Rayner who averages nearly a six-pointer every time he takes the field with a career strike rate of 81 goals in 87 appearances.</p> <p>Ahead of the new season Rayner finds himself in the sweet spot of being young but also having a lot of first-grade experience.</p> <p>This should serve both him and the Lions well as they go chasing that elusive flag in 2023.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Brisbane Lions’ Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish: <strong>3rd</strong></em></p> <p>Brisbane are yet to capitalise on the premiership window they have found themselves in over the last four seasons, with their fans hoping this is the year everything clicks.</p> <p>Their epic back-to-back scalps of the Tigers and the Dees in last year’s final series showed they have what it takes to deliver at crunch time, until the Cats showed them there are levels to this game.</p> <p>A top 4 finish would help ensure a less taxing passage to a prelim and potentially beyond and with super stars like Lachie Neale, Charlie Cameron and Cam Rayner that target is more than achievable.</p> <p>If the Lions can find that consistency they have craved for so long a title charge is definitely not out of the question in 2023.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Brisbane Lions’ Best 22</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>B:</strong> Darcy Gardiner, Harris Andrews, Brandon Starcevich</p> <p><strong>HB:</strong> Keidean Coleman, Marcus Adams, Daniel Rich</p> <p><strong>C:</strong> Noah Answerth, Josh Dunkley, Callum Ah Chee</p> <p><strong>HB:</strong> Cam Rayner, Eric Hipwood, Dayne Zorko</p> <p><strong>F:</strong> Charlie Cameron, Joe Daniher, Jack Gunston</p> <p><strong>Foll:</strong> Oscar McInerney, Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage</p> <p><strong>I/C:</strong> Darcy Wilmot, Jarrod Berry, Zac Bailey, Lincoln McCarthy</p>