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:ย Darcy Fortย (Geelong Cats, 2022),ย Kai Lohmann (2023),ย James Tunstil (2023), Darcy Wilmot (2023)
Outs:ย Connor Ballendenย (delisted),ย Grant Birchallย (retired),ย Tom Joyceย (delisted),ย Archie Smithย (retired),ย Brock Smith (delisted), Cam Ellis-Yolmen (inactive)
Defining Period
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.
