Doubt is surely starting to enter the mind of the Brisbane faithful. After three straight seasons of blowing out in the finals, can they jump the final hurdle?
Finishes of second and fourth have resulted in two straight-set exits and a prelim loss in 2020.
The arrival of spearhead Joe Daniher was touted as the final key to finally making the grand final, and while the ex-Bomber was a large asset in their success, expectations will rise this season.
While that obviously didn't occur, the Lions are still in good stead to take the next step forward.
Off-season moves
Ins: Darcy Fort (Geelong Cats, 2022), Kai Lohmann (2023), James Tunstil (2023), Darcy Wilmot (2023)
Outs: Connor Ballenden (delisted), Grant Birchall (retired), Tom Joyce (delisted), Archie Smith (retired), Brock Smith (delisted), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (inactive)
The Lions enjoyed a strong season yet again, making the top four... just.
Their season started off poorly though, losing Cam Rayner to an ACL injury, ending his season. This was a big blow for the Queensland side, as the former No.1 pick looked to be in career-best form.
Once the season got going, Brisbane didn't, losing three of the first four games to find themselves at 16th after Round 4.
Chris Fagan's men must have been adamant to not disappoint their coach any further, quickly turning around their slow start.
They would go on to win their next seven games, five of which came without 2020 Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale.
Following the poor start, the Lions won 14 games and only lost four, to finish fourth with a 15-7 record. As aforementioned, they had just made the top four, passing the Bulldogs by 0.5%.
Finals ended in disappointment, with another straight-set exit, losing the Dogs by a point in the semi-finals.
Attacking power: Brisbane were a goalkicking machine in 2021, finishing the season with more goals than any other side.
The recruitment of Joe Daniher proved to be a success, adding an extra dimension to their forward line. In fact, he was the only player to kick a goal in every home and away round this season across the AFL.
Combine that with fellow talls Eric Hipwood and Daniel McStay as well as the electric Charlie Cameron and Lincoln McCarthy, and you may have the most lethal forward line in the competition.
The recruitment of ruck Darcy Fort also allows Oscar McInerney to go up forward if Fagan wants another tall option.
Star midfield: The Lions' midfield is absolutely star-studded. Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons, captain Dayne Zorko and wingman Hugh McCluggage are all A-graders. Any team with those names would be pretty good.
Throw in the explosive Zac Bailey and Cam Rayner, and the tough Mitch Robinson, and you have a genuine top tier engine room.
Bailey had a breakout season last year, and will only benefit when Rayner returns, probably returning to the forward line to make it even more dangerous.
The key characteristic of this group is toughness.
Backline speed: The one aspect of a pretty round defence that is lacking for the maroon, blue and gold is speed.
They do have their assets, Daniel Rich, Brandon Starcevich, Marcus Adams and star Harris Andrews, but where is the speed?
There is a lack of a line breaker, a real runner who can get the ball to travel 100 metres through running and disposal use. Not only provide run and carry but also keep up with the opposition's quick small forwards.
Callum Ah Chee can provide that but who else does Brisbane have?
Fortunately for them, newly drafted Darcy Wilmot is a fast running defender who may be able to provide them with the dash they need, while forward Keidean Coleman could also be utilised in Fagan's rearguard.
Winning when it matters: Brisbane have done well to make the top four in the last three seasons, but once September comes around, it's as if a whole other team takes to the field.
In the three years, the Lions have a record of 1-5 in finals, three of the losses by over five goals and two less than three points.
Concerns are starting to emerge, if they don't start winning finals, other teams are going to surpass them soon, and this period will be deemed a failure.
It's not just finals either, their form against those sitting around them is worrisome. Last season, they went 2-8 against top-six sides.
In a midfield full of talented players, Jarryd Lyons stands out as the one to star this season.
The 29-year-old is coming off a stellar season that saw him average 28.1 disposals, 4.9 marks, 6.2 clearances and 6.4 tackles per game.
While coming third in the club's best and fairest, he dominated the Brownlow count for the Lions with 23 votes, nine higher than next teammate Dayne Zorko.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
SEE ALSO: FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS FOR BRISBANE
The former Crow and Sun ranked 3rd in the league for tackles and 4th for pressure acts, working as an inside beast.
While he didn't make the All-Australian team, he did make the squad, and we see him earning his first AA blazer this season.
Last year Zac Bailey broke through at the Lions, and this year his fellow 2017 draftee Cam Rayner is poised to do the same.
The former No.1 draft pick missed all last season to an ACL injury, and will be a welcome addition to the side. Rayner brings excitement and energy to the team and could have an impact forward and in the centre, much like Bailey.
The 22-year-old has shown plenty in training this year, and is sure to spend time forward and in the midfield working in tandem with Bailey.
The eight week period between Rounds 9 and 16 are shaping up to be very important for Chris Fagan and Brisbane.
Back-to-back games away from home against Adelaide and Hawthorn in Rounds 9 and 10, on paper, shouldn't worry the Lions. But their record away from the Gabba is quite unflattering.
They will return home to play GWS but will have to travel yet again to play Fremantle in Perth in Round 12.
Three away games in four weeks isn't ideal, and if somehow they lose those games, that would compound their worries, especially given the other side of the bye sees reigning premiers Melbourne (away) and runner-up Western Bulldogs lying in wait.
Brisbane are certain to be around the top four yet again, but it is becoming a situation of now or never to take the next step and make the grand final.
In 2022 the Lions will improve their recent 1-5 finals record to make the grand final, easing the minimal pressure that is waiting for them if they unceremoniously bowl out again.
Predicted position: 2nd