<p>The <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/all-australian-rules">2026 AFL season</a> kicks off on Thursday, March 5 and all eyes will be on the Gabba. After winning back-to-back premierships in 2024 and 2025, the Brisbane Lions have the chance to ascend into rarefied air with an historic threepeat.</p> <p>The 2026 Brisbane Lions have the perfect opportunity to match the heroics of the legendary Brisbane Lions team of 2001-03.</p> <p>With unforgettable characters like Michael Voss, Simon Black, Jonathan Brown and who could forget the bleach blonde locks of Jason Akermanis, it’s clear that sustained success is the secret to cementing a legacy.</p> <p>The 26’ Lions have two flags already and with no signs of slowing down, experienced signings in key positions and talent returning from injury, it’s seemingly theirs to lose.</p> <p>The Brisbane Lions’ roster perfectly balances seasoned premiership stars and frightening young talent, but they’ll be the hunted this year in an AFL competition full of contenders.</p> <p>And the offseason was less than peaceful at the Lion’s den, with a trio of new captains announced to replace Lachie Neale for 2026.&nbsp;</p> <p>After everything that’s happened, do the Lions still have what it takes to win a second threepeat in 23 years?</p> <p>Find out below in our Brisbane Lions 2026 season preview.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions Players 2026</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Brisbane’s off-season was defined by aggressive moves to ensure their dynasty remains intact, successfully replacing departing veterans with high-end talent.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Brisbane Lions Key Signings and Draftees:</h3> <p>Former <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-season-extras/west-coast-eagles-first-win-2026-9954793">West Coast</a> co-captain headlines an impressive list of new recruits at the Lion’s den, providing a massive boost to the forward line after recovering from recent injuries.</p> <p>Bombers ruckman Sam Draper joins as a likely replacement for the retiring Oscar McInerney. And youngsters Daniel Annable, Cody Curtin, Koby Evans and Tai Hayes head to Brisbane by way of the draft.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Brisbane Lions Key Departures:</h3> <p>The beloved ‘Big O’ Oscar McInerney got his fairytale finish, starring in the 2025 Grand Final and will enjoy retirement in season 2026.</p> <p>Always reliable defender Brandon Starcevich moves to West Coast after a 3-club trade with West Coast and <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-season-wins/fremantle-season-wins-2026-9942718">Fremantle.</a></p> <p>And two-time premiership winner Cal Ah Chee joins <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-season-wins/adelaide-crows-season-wins-2026-9942688">Adelaide</a> for 2026.</p> <p>Sam Day, Darcy Craven and Brandon Ryan also departed the club following the 2025 season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions Main Man</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Hugh McCluggage</h3> <p>Part of the fresh group of co-captains consisting of McCluggage, Dunkley and Harris Andrews, the 27-year-old midfielder is at the height of his powers heading into 2026.</p> <p>After finally earning his first All-Australian blazer in 2025 with elite averages of 27 disposals and 7.2 score involvements, McCluggage is entering the season as a bona fide star of the AFL.</p> <p>McCluggage has evolved into one of the most consistent midfielders in the league, combining a high footy IQ and elite kicking inside-50 with composure and experience he’s developed at the pointy end of the season.</p> <p>In a star-studded lineup featuring Will Ashcroft, 2-time <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-brownlow-medal">Brownlow medal</a> winner&nbsp; Lachie Neale and Cam Rayner, McCluggage still stands out as a leader and one of the best players at the Lions.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions Draw Difficulty Rating</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The reigning premiers are known for not cutting corners, but they’ll have to go the long way in the hunt for their third straight flag.</p> <p>They are tied for the most games against last year's top eight, with 13 such matchups on the calendar.</p> <p>Double-up opponents include heavyweights <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/afl/predictions/geelong-cats-season-preview-2026">Geelong</a>, Collingwood, and Sydney, as well as the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl-season-wins/gold-coast-suns-season-wins-2026-9942721">Gold Coast Suns.</a></p> <p>It’s a tough draw for the Lions, but If threepeats were easy, everybody would do it.</p> <p><strong>Difficulty rating:</strong> Hard.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions Season Prediction 2026</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Brisbane Lions head into the 2026 season as the hunted and every team will be looking to prove themselves against the competition benchmark.</p> <p>The scary reality for the rest of the AFL is that this team might be better than the one that won the flag last September. The return of Keidean Coleman from injury and the addition of Oscar Allen and Sam Draper fills the few gaps the Lions had.</p> <p>Beyond the established stars, Brisbane’s pool of young talent is expected to explode in 2026. Will Ashcroft, already a dual <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/events/norm-smith-medal">Norm Smith</a> Medallist, is joined by brother Levi and high-impact youngsters like Jaspa Fletcher and Kai Lohmann</p> <p>While some warn of accumulative fatigue after deep finals runs for three consecutive years, the club’s off-season movements show they’ve galvanised following the highly publicised Lachie Neale drama.</p> <p>While nothing is certain in footy, the Lions have the list, the depth and a proven championship mentality. They deserve their position as favourites to win the 2026 AFL Premiership.</p> <p><strong>Predicted finish:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/afl-premiership-winner-2026-9641840">Premiers.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions Predicted Round 1 Team</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>FB:</strong> Ryan Lester, Jack Payne, Noah Answerth&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>HB:</strong> Dayne Zorko, Harris Andrews, Jaspa Fletcher&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>C:</strong> Jarrod Berry, Lachie Neale, Sam Marshall&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>HF: </strong>Zac Bailey, Logan Morris, Cam Rayner&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>FF:</strong> Charlie Cameron, Oscar Allen, Ty Gallop&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>FOLL: </strong>Sam Draper, Hugh McCluggage, Josh Dunkley</p> <p><strong>I/C:</strong> Darcy Wilmot, Keidean Coleman, Levi Ashcroft, Will Ashcroft, Kai Lohmann</p> <p><strong>Note:</strong> Sam Draper is being monitored for a low-level stress fracture in his right foot, while Eric Hipwood is expected to miss the first half of 2026 following a second knee surgery.</p>