After a strong 2022 campaign, the Lions fizzled out in a disappointing preliminary final defeat against the Cats. With a deep list that's in its prime, they would have been hoping for so much more, leading to a big off-season of recruiting.
They were a powerhouse for much of 2022 and made a statement ending the Demons' season at the MCG in the semi-final, showing that they were a contender. While they won 15 games and plenty went right on-field for the Lions, things started to go awry when Marcus Adams went down, costing them a crucial piece of their defensive foundation.
Injuries, form and a perceived lack of big bodies at the contest looked to leave them exposed when push came to shove, which the Cats capitalised on. Their much-vaunted midfield was smashed in the contested game in their most crucial match of the season.
Season 2023 has already started off in interesting fashion for the Lions, being smashed by Port Adelaide and found wanting against the Western Bulldogs. Yet they've also managed to beat the two teams that most consider being the benchmark in the competition in Melbourne and Collingwood.
At the moment, they are a bit Jekyll and Hyde, searching for consistency while clearly in their premiership window, having gone about solidifying their talented list by recruiting Josh Dunkley, Conor McKenna, Jack Gunston and landing gun father-son recruit Will Ashcroft.
While there are still minor concerns with bedding in all their new assets, at their best, they are a force to be reckoned with and absolutely a premiership chance once things click.
Yet they would still happily take another player or two to match the kind of depth that the likes of Collingwood now possess.
Here are some options we think might be of interest to the Lions if they were able to 'steal' a rival player.
The Lions aren't short on midfield talent but a player of the calibre and class of Luke Parker would be welcome at every club in the AFL. A natural leader and as tough as they come, Parker excels at the contest and at clearances, something the Lions would dearly love more of in their engine room. His consistency has been a marvel, missing very few games and playing even fewer poor ones.
Though Brisbane now have Josh Dunkley in the mix in their midfield, Parker would instantly improve their starting on-ball brigade. A combination with Dunkley and star Lachie Neale sounds incredibly tough to beat, not to mention well-rounded.
Parker's competitiveness and ability to drift forward for a crucial goal would make him a dangerous asset and allow Neale and Dunkley greater freedom.
In season 2023 to date, Parker is averaging 22.8 disposals, 4.2 tackles, 3.8 inside 50's and 3.8 clearances per game. They're the kind of numbers made more impressive when you consider that they are down on his 2022 numbers, where he went at 24.4 disposals, 6 tackles and 6 clearances per game.
As one of the best captains in the AFL, Parker leads both by action and voice. Anyone who saw the vision of him mic'd up that was released recently could not argue that he is as good as having a coach out on field.
He would arguably be the missing piece in the puzzle for Brisbane as they search for consistency in 2023.
While Oscar McInerney is a quality ruckman, he has very little backup at Brisbane and, while he has proven reasonably reliable on the injury front, were he to go down, the Lions would be in trouble. With Darcy Fort as the only other AFL-level option to call upon, a player of the quality of Rowan Marshall would be a boon.
Marshall's power and athleticism around the ground would complement McInerney's tap work nicely, while his ability to go forward and kick a goal cannot be underestimated given Hipwood and Daniher's tendencies to occasionally have quiet games. At 27 years of age, Marshall is in his prime, much like the Brisbane list and would likely create headaches for opposition coaches if swapping with McInerney in the middle.
After a quiet 2022 stats-wise, largely due to sharing ruck duties with star veteran Paddy Ryder, Marshall appears back to his best in 2023. He's averaging 19 disposals, 23.8 hit-outs, 5 marks, 3.5 tackles and 6 clearances per game, ranking him 9th in total hit-outs and 7th in total stoppage clearances. Taking into account his being subbed off at three-quarter time against the Suns, the numbers could be even better.
Marshall's forward prowess, engine and ruck craft are not his only strengths, proving an invaluable option behind the ball when his side has it locked inside forward 50.
His ability to either take a contested mark down the line or in defence, or bring the ball to ground for his midfielders is crucial in the modern game where possession is everything. He would instantly walk into the Lions' lineup and no doubt prove his value immediately.
Losing Marcus Adams to concussion has made life tough in defence for the Lions, who are now without a key defender to take the really big bodies in the AFL. The likes of Tom Hawkins have found the going much easier against Brisbane without Adams, making a big-bodied defender a key item on the wish list. Ben McKay is exactly what they would be after.
His size, ability and age make him the ideal candidate for a Lions team looking to challenge for a flag this year and for the next several. While he has had his injury troubles in his career to date, the Lions have a good track record with players who've had a similar history. Lincoln McCarthy and Joe Daniher arrived having had their own injury issues yet both appear to have put their woes behind them.
Having endured a frustrating start to season 2023 due to another injury, McKay's statistics are not as prevalent as they could be. However, it's worth noting that in season 2022 he ranked fifth for total contested marks per game and in 2021 he ranked 10th for total one percenters. With a clean bill of health, the potential to become a dominant key defender is there.
A fully fit and prime McKay would slot seamlessly into the Lions' backline, relieving the pressure on Harris Andrews and Darcy Gardiner and creating stability against clubs like Geelong and Richmond, who boast tall and powerful forward lines. Though the Brisbane backline is not necessarily weak, there's no doubting that McKay would instantly improve it, providing a strong foundation on which to build a challenge for a premiership.
As we've seen on occasion this year and last, the Lions' reliance on Joe Daniher or Eric Hipwood to kick a bag can prove costly and while Cam Rayner exploded against the Magpies, another strong-bodied medium-sized forward would add another dimension to their forward line. Brody Mihocek would be ideal for the Lions.
Standing 192cm, he is a powerful leading forward who can take contested marks and kick truly. Mihocek is one of the competition's most underrated and consistent forwards. Since being recruited from the VFL, he has become a staple at Collingwood and has proven to be worth his weight in gold.
In season 2023 to date, he averages 4.5 marks, 2.2 goals, 2.5 tackles and 1.8 inside 50's per game and is ranked 12th for total goals. While in 2022, he averaged 3.8 marks, 1.8 goals and 2.0 tackles per game, highlighting the continuing improvement in his game.
A forward line combination of Daniher, Hipwood, Rayner, Cameron, McCarthy and Mihocek would be irresistible, with multiple avenues to goal and a strong blend of height, speed, athleticism, pressure and goal nous.
Mihocek would add yet another weapon to the Lions' armoury and ease the pressure on the club's often-scrutinised forwards.