3. Off-season Grade

B-

The Lions have made some serious additions to their list but both ready-made recruits come in with huge question marks above their head, Joe Daniher can flip a game on its head, he has genuine star potential but his kicking is a huge deficiency. No more so than his body which has let him down for quite some time now.

Nakia Cockatoo has speed to burn and has flirted with a breakout year ever since he entered the AFL system, but has never been given a run at it due to a riddled run of injuries.

Losing Stefan Martin won't hurt too much, they have plenty of depth in the ruck position, but Alex Witherden is one that may hurt. Witherden was stuck behind Grant Birchall and opted to leave for more opportunities, Birchall's body hasn't always held up and if he does get injured early on, their half-back stocks aren't as strong as fellow premiership contenders.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 02: Joe Daniher talks to the media at press conference at Lion Park on November 02, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. The 26-year-old key forward joined the Lions on a three year deal on Friday, as free agent from Essendon. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

If Daniher comes off as he did in the recent intra-club, where he kicked 4 majors, the Lions off-season grade no doubt goes up a ring or two. But for a side who struggled in front of goal all year, adding someone who has their own issues with goal-kicking may not solve those problems.