Brisbane once again had a strong home and away season, but failed to live up to expectations on the biggest stage. The Lions lost a heartbreaking semi-final to the Bulldogs by a single point, which drastically altered the seasons of both sides.
With another lost season, the Lions faithful will be getting restless. Doubt is starting to occur as to whether they will be able to make it over the hump next season. Hereโs how we review their season.
Season Finish: 4th
Record: 15 wins, 7 losses, 133.3%
2021 season snapshot
After losing to Geelong in the 2020 preliminary final, the Lions were hoping to build off the improvements of their past two seasons. Having beaten the eventual premiers Richmond in the first week of finals, Brisbane showed that they had the talent to compete with the competition's best.
The year started off poorly with a season-ending ACL injury to Cam Rayner in the pre-season. This was especially disappointing after Rayner was looking to be in career-best form early in the year. Their regular season didnโt start much better, losing three of their first four matches and finding themselves at 16th by the end of Round 4.
Brisbane was able to quickly turn around a slow start. They won their next seven games jumping straight back into top-four contention. Not even a Lachie Neale injury in Round 6 could stop the momentum, with five of those wins coming without the 2020 Brownlow medallist.
From there, the Lions were able to recapture some of the regular season form that they have been known for over the past three seasons. From Round 5 onwards, they managed to win 14 matches while only losing four.
Despite some hot form however, Brisbane found themselves outside the top four midway through the final round of the season. With only minutes left in their Round 23 match against West Coast, it looked like the Lions werenโt going to win by enough to overtake the Bulldogs for the final top-four position. Some last-minute heroics sealed the win and gave the Lions a 0.5% lead in percentage over the Dogs.
With their excellent form in the latter half of the season, the Lions were hoping to improve on their 2020 finish. If they were successful, they would make their first grand final since 2004.
The Demons proved to be too good in the first round of the finals however. The last-minute goal in Round 23 did allow them a double chance. This provided them with an opportunity to bounce back at home against the Bulldogs. In the game of the season, Brisbane found themselves behind by a single point when the final siren sounded.
2021 became another disappointing season for the Lions, who havenโt been able to play their best football during the finalโs series for the past three seasons.
Star Player: Jarryd Lyons ย
Lyons was one of many Brisbane players to have an excellent season for his side in 2021. In a year when only eight votes separated the top three vote-getters in the Brisbane best and fairest (340 vs 332), Lyonsโs strength and ferocity set him apart from his peers.
While Lyons was third in Brisbaneโs vote tally, winning the Alastair Lynch trophy, he dominated the Brownlow count. His 23 votes were nine higher than his next highest teammate Dayne Zorko, who had 14.
In his 2021 campaign, Lyons averaged 28.1 disposals, 4.9 marks, 6.2 clearances and 6.4 tackles per game. He led his midfield in the middle while proving to be one of the leagueโs premier midfielders in the process.
Across the league his total stats were 3rd for tackles, 3rd for AFL Fantasy score, 10th in disposals, 5th for stoppage clearances and 8th for clearances. He also proved that he wasnโt just an inside beast, being in the top 20 for effective disposals and goal assists which highlights his solid ball use.
JL in 2021 ๐คฏ๐ https://t.co/KCCi9v3X9X
โ 3rd in Merrett-Murray Medal
โ 3rd in AFL for Tackles
โ 4th in AFL for Pressure Acts
โ All-Australian Extended SquadTold you he's elite ๐คทโโ๏ธ #Uncaged pic.twitter.com/7CKuyCzIzo
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) October 22, 2021
Breakout player: Zac Bailey
Bailey has elevated his game to another level in 2021, relishing increased opportunity around the middle of the ground. He played predominately half-forward in the early stages of his career.
During the off-season, the Lions flagged a potential role change for Bailey this season. While Brisbane knew the potential of their young gun, they wouldnโt have expected the immediate impact that Bailey would have with more midfield play.
In a career year, he averaged his highest tallies in disposals (18.3), clearances (2.75), contested disposals (7.63) and inside 50s (4.29). What was equally important however was that he was still able to improve on his pressure and scoring.
This was all while spending less time up forward. His goals (1.29), tackles (2.83) and one percenters (1.54) were all also the best of his career.
While the Lions are already pretty loaded in the midfield, the breakout of Bailey provides them with some variety at that position. He provides some speed and scoreboard pressure that is unlike many of his fellow teammates at that position. With another off-season to develop and improve his craft, Bailey could be the x-factor the Lions need to overcome the finals curse that has plagued them for years.
ZAC BAILEY.
AFTER THE SIREN.#AFLPiesLions pic.twitter.com/RhM2UmuDrb
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) April 1, 2021
Positives:
Recruiting Joe Daniher: With a troubled injury history, many were sceptical about signing Daniher to such a large contract during the free agency period.
A fresh start was all he needed however, playing all 24 games of the Lions season in 2021. While he is yet to recapture his 2017 form, he has become an important piece of the Lions forward line finishing with 46 majors.
He adds a new element to their setup, and importantly provides some relief to Charlie Cameron and Eric Hipwood. He was the most consistent forward across the home and away season, being the only player to kick a goal in every game this season.
With another full pre-season, the Lions will expect an even more impactful Daniher in 2022.
Keeping Lachie Neale: Before the free agency period began, the Lions were hit with a bombshell report. Their Brownlow medallist, Lachie Neale was allegedly wanting to return back to Western Australia. This was due to help with the challenges of being a new parent. The Lions were able to provide assurances and enough assistance to Lachie and his family to make them willing to stay at the club.
This was a big win for the Lions. They would have struggled to find a suitable replacement during the offseason. When trading superstars, the team losing that player rarely wins the trade. While not being able to replicate the same sustained form of 2020, Neale did show that he is still one of the leagueโs best midfielders and an important piece for the Lions. He is still their only midfielder who can consistently work through a tag and still produce at a high level.
The 2017 'super' draft: Just like how the 2018 draft has been credited as the super draft that changed Port Adelaideโs future, 2017 could prove to be the same for the Lions.
In the draft following their 2017 wooden spoon, the Lions have seemingly found three gems that will be integral to their future success. With three selections in the top 20, they were able to hit on each selection taking Cam Rayner (#1), Zac Bailey (#15) and Brandon Starcevich (#20).
Cam Rayner missed the entire season due to an ACL injury. He was looking like making the leap in the early stages of the pre-season. While endurance and opportunity have impacted his stats early in his career, Rayner is primed for a big next couple of seasons. Provided he stays healthy, it is expected that Rayner will turn into a high impact midfielder/forward in a โDustin Martin likeโ role.
Zac Bailey was the Lions breakout player of the year elevating his play with increased midfield minutes. He improved in almost every statistical category and quickly become one of the most exciting players on the Lions list.
Brandon Starcevich has become of the leagueโs best small defenders and is the Lions most important player down back not named Harris Andrews. He has pace and size to match it with many of the most dangerous forwards. Some of his notable assignments have been Dustin Martin, Jordan De Goey, Tom Papley and Jake Stringer.
Negatives
Lack of finals success: After getting knocked out in straight sets for the second time in three seasons, the Lions are starting to develop a finals problem.
Over the course of three seasons, they have only managed one win. Their record is now 1-5 in three finals campaigns. Three of those losses have been by over five goals, with the other two being by less than three points.
In both of their straight-set losses, they were within a goal of making the preliminary final. While this means they donโt need to hit the panic button just yet, there are still concerns starting to emerge.
The Lions need to hope they are squandering their best opportunity to win the premiership. The competition is set to get tougher over the next few years. The Bulldogs and Demons are going to challenge for the premiership over the next half-a-decade with Port Adelaide still having enough youth to be in the same category. Other up and coming teams such as Carlton, Essendon, Sydney and Fremantle will also be hoping to see similar success.
The Lions might need to capitalise on their recent success before it is too late.
Form against top teams: While the Lions reached the top four for the third straight season, their form against other teams in the top six would be a concern. In 2021 they played eight of those matches, while only winning two of them.
Round 1 vs Sydney (L) ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 94 โ 125
Round 2 vs Geelong (L) ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 80 โ 81
Round 4 vs Bulldogs (L) ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 54 โ 73
Round 7 vs Port Adelaide (W) ย ย ย ย ย ย 93 โ 44
Round 12 vs Melbourne (L)ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 75 โ 97
Round 15 vs Geelong (W) ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 94 โ 50
QF vs Melbourne (L) ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 60 โ 93
SF vs Bulldogs (L) ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 78 โ 79
All of Brisbane's wins took place at the Gabba. The Lions were unable to win any matches outside of their home state against the leagueโs best.
While boasting a talented group, the team has struggled against some of the leagueโs most destructive midfields. In particular, Melbourne and the Bulldogs have won the midfield matchup each time they played in 2021. Being able to overcome these top six sides will inevitably be the difference between a premiership and another lost season.
Season Grade: B
While Brisbane will be disappointed with the final outcome of the season, it was another close call. They were only one point away from another preliminary finals berth. It was also their third straight top-four finish in another stellar home and away season.
Their two losses in the finals were against the eventual grand finalists. This included being within the closest final margin to Melbourne throughout the finals.
Despite this, the Lions are currently grand final or bust, with any other result being a disappointment. With a record of finals record of 1-5 in the past three seasons, some genuine concerns are starting to appear.
2022 will be a make or break season. Without improvement, there could be changes to the playing group or coaching panel after next season.
