Young Brisbane wingman and premiership Lion Jaspa Fletcher believes the Queensland side is still as hungry as ever to claim a second consecutive premiership in 2025.
Brisbane remains one of the favourites to take out the AFL's prized cup again next season after the Lions overcame their 2023 heartbreak to win their first grand final since their 2001-03 three-peat era.
20-year-old Fletcher was a part of Brisbane's side in both the loss and victory, despite it being just his first and second years at the club. Despite the early success in his career, the hard work from club stalwarts has instilled the hunger to continue fighting for the same glory in 2025.
"Just to have that feeling on grand final day with the club," Fletcher said was driving the group's hunger.
"A lot of people have been here through some dark times and I think that reward for Fages (Chris Fagan), who's had to build the club up from bottom, Swanny (CEO Greg Swan), blokes like Zorks (Dayne Zorko) and Ryan Lester, all those blokes that have been here since the start.
"To see them really enjoy that moment, and also the young kids as well, to have that feeling again would be pretty special."
The Lions' success has admittedly been a "blur" for Fletcher, but he said the focus towards next season has ramped up as the Lions aim to complete a flag defence not seen since Richmond's 2020 effort.
"Being in the team (in 2023) didn't get over the line and we had a pretty honest review. You sort of sit on that one a little bit in your offseason," Fletcher said.
"This year with the finish that we had it was great fun and we did have a bit of a celebration but I think the boys are pretty hungry to get back... They're ready to go again and we're just as hungry.
"2024 is 2024, we're ready to go into 2025. We know there's a lot of great sides out there nowadays that are really strong and they're gonna come for us, but we're ready to go back at them."
Fletcher noted that the squad are reaching peak fitness just six weeks out from their first clash, with the rehab players progressing through recovery strongly, with plenty to stake their claim for selection in Opening Round.
"My body feels good and I think a lot of boys are in that boat at the moment," Fletcher said.
"(We) had a few in rehab at the start but we're starting to get a lot more out on the track and ready to go come Round 0.
"We're definitely (as fit as we've been), being at the time trial the other week and seeing the some of the PBs some of the boys hit. I think there was about 12 or something under three minutes.
"It's pretty freakish, so to have a group that's run like that and is ready to go at the start of the season, it's pretty important."
The low injury count provides an abundance of depth for Fagan to choose from, with the likes of Lincoln McCarthy, Keidean Coleman, Tom Doedee, Oscar McInerney and Levi Ashcroft all on track to be available for the Lions' first match.
Fletcher believes the competition for spots will only make the squad work harder as nearly every position becomes up for grabs.
"I think that's a blessing in disguise, to have such a talented list full of depth keeps the chip on the shoulder all the time, and if blokes do go down with injury we've got someone to step in and go," Fletcher said.
"Nearly everyone on this list could play AFL. We've got such great talent from all ages and experience, young kids, older guys, the whole group's flying.
"To have a group that's all fit and ready to go for Round 0 is going to cause a lot of headaches in the selection room but I think that's what they want at the end of the day."
While depth is positive to fill the void of injured and out-of-form players, it could mean a host of out-of-contract players seek more playing time at a fresh club in 2026.
Callum Ah Chee, Kai Lohmann, Lincoln McCarthy, Darcy Gardiner, Ryan Lester, Logan Morris, and Brandon Starcevich are all off contract at the end of this season but it would be a surprise if they seek a new home.
Fringe players Darragh Joyce, Bruce Reville and Deven Roberston may be the more likely off-contract departers if they cannot crack the AFL side regularly in 2025, with the trio playing six, 12, and two games respectively. The latter had already sought a move home to Western Australia in the 2024 off-season but no deal was made.
"There's probably gonna be a lot of talk about that sort of thing," Fletcher said.
"We're focused on the year ahead in 2025, and whatever happens at the end of the year happens, but this full group focused on week by week and hopefully we can get back to the end of September."
Key forward Eric Hipwood notably left training early on Friday, but his teammate believes he's in good stead.
Hipwood will assume more responsibility in the forward line this year after Joe Daniher's retirement, and an injury would leave the Lions thin in their tall forward stocks.
"From all the reports I've heard he's going quite well," Fletcher reassured.
"Obviously at this time of year the low management is pretty important, it's still only the middle of January and we don't play until the start of March so there's a bit of time to go.
"He'll tick through what he needs to get through and we have great staff that put him in the best hands to get back and play footy."
Brisbane will kickstart the season at the Gabba against Geelong in the first match of Opening Round, falling on Thursday, March 6