Brisbane is hoping that its injury misfortunes in 2024 may have paved the way towards another genuine tilt at the premiership in the upcoming season, with a host of stars on track to return in Round 1.
The Lions lost a quartet of first-choice players to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears last year.
Emerging half-back Keidean Coleman was the first to go down, injuring his knee in the club's Opening Round clash against Carlton.
Former Adelaide defender Tom Doedee was the next cab off the rank, with scans confirming a partial tear and subsequent third ACL injury ahead of his Lions debut late in March.
And if matters couldn't get any worse, veterans Lincoln McCarthy and Darcy Gardiner both went down during the Round 8 Q-Clash against Gold Coast, confirming their 2024 season was over.
But as the Lions returned to pre-season training from the Christmas break, the quartet looked to be moving well.
"I'm starting to hit my straps now," McCarthy said following the first day of training in the new year.
"I've got skills to do and then start with some contact next month so should be raring to go at the start of the season."
Dangerous forward Cam Rayner couldn't help but notice the work the quartet have put into preparing themselves for the upcoming season.
"They are all looking pretty fit," Rayner said.
"Kiddy Coleman is starting to move really well as well."
Brisbane will kick off their 2025 campaign and premiership defence with a contest against Geelong at the Gabba on March 6.