Squad Breakdown: Brisbane Lions 2023 SC analysis


<p>Just as it seemed like the Brisbane Lions’ premiership window was closing, they went out and had a 10/10 trade period, while also excelling to the highest grade in the draft.</p>



<p>It has now put them in a position where I genuinely think they have the best list in the competition; although it is becoming clearer that the window for a flag is slowly closing, with these new signings buying them just a fraction of extra time.</p>



<p>While there is an abundance of young talent rising through the ranks, the core of the squad are approaching the final stages of their careers, with them actually ranking as the third oldest side in the AFL.</p>



<p>Will Ashcroft looks like one of the most ready-made AFL players to come out of the draft in recent years (alongside Nick Daicos of course), and the thought of him lining up in a midfield alongside Brownlow Medallist, Lachie Neale (not to mention Josh Dunkley!), is borderline unfair.</p>



<p>Expectations are high, and anything less than a premiership trophy will be met with judgy eyes and stern words from their die-hard fanbase.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Team</strong></h2>



<p><strong>FB: </strong>D. Rich, J. Payne, D. Gardiner</p>



<p><strong>HB: </strong>B. Starcevich, H. Andrews, K. Coleman</p>



<p><strong>C: </strong>Z. Bailey, J. Berry, H. McCluggage</p>



<p><strong>HF: </strong>C. Rayner, E. Hipwood, D. Zorko</p>



<p><strong>FF: </strong>J. Gunston, J. Daniher, C. Cameron</p>



<p><strong>FOL: </strong>O. McInerny, L. Neale, J. Dunkley</p>



<p><strong>INT: </strong>L. McCarthy, W. Ashcroft, J. Lyons, D. Wilmot</p>



<p><strong>SUB: </strong>N. Answerth</p>



<p><strong>EMG: </strong>D. Robertson, C. McKenna, C. Ah Chee, J. Fletcher</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>List Changes</strong></h2>



<p>This really isn’t an understatement, but the Lions had one of the best off seasons in recent memory.</p>



<p>Not only did they gain a future Brownlow Medallist in Will Ashcroft, but they also drafted father-son product, Jaspa Fletcher, with pick 12.</p>



<p>It doesn’t end there though&#8230;</p>



<p>They managed to scoop up Josh Dunkley &#8211; who just won the Dogs’ B&amp;F – for just pick 21, a future first-round, a future second-round, and a future fourth-round, while also acquiring a future third-round and fourth-round pick from Melbourne. That sounds like a lot, but when you look at what they were still able to do in the draft and compare it to what the Crows gave up for Rankine, it’s one of the best pieces of business I’ve ever seen.</p>



<p>It makes Jack Gunston sound minimal, when in reality it’s also an unbelievable signing. Hopefully he can stay fit, because the thought of him, Hipwood, and Daniher all in the same forward line is scaryyy.</p>



<p>The SSP also turned out well for them with former Bomber, Conor McKenna, joining after a two-year hiatus from the AFL. I imagine it’ll take him a fair bit of time to work his way into the squad, but the Lions could use his run off half-back!</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lock &amp; Load</strong></h2>



<p>In previous years, the main deterrent toward Dunkley has been the uncertainty regarding his midfield minutes. In a stacked midfield group that featured Bont, Macrae, Libba, Bazlenka, and even Adam Treloar, poor Dunks found it hard to squeeze himself in and establish any form of consistency in the middle of the ground. Despite this, he has still averaged 100+ in each of the last four years, including 116.5 in 2019.</p>



<p>That all changes this year though&#8230;</p>



<p>The Lions aren’t bringing Dunkley in to just waste him at half forward; he’s starting on-ball and he’s staying there.</p>



<p>If he’s not the highest averaging player this year, he’ll be damn close. I’ll go on the record and say that he’s not just the biggest lock from the Lions, he’s the biggest lock in the game.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mid-Pricers</strong></h2>



<p>Last year, Jarrod Berry was a great example as to how beneficial mid-price options can be to SuperCoach sides.</p>



<p>While he didn’t quite reach the lofty heights of his 2020 season where he averaged 97, he increased in price by $105,900 thanks to a steady average of 76 in 2022.</p>



<p>Kiddy Coleman was another who rose to a new level last season as a mid-pricer, coming in at just $263,200 to start the season, ending the year with an 87 average and a price tag of $470,300.</p>



<p>Once again, I can’t help but be drawn to Keidean Coleman in 2023.</p>



<p>With Daniel Rich growing another year older, it’s possible he moves to a more lock-down type role at back pocket, allowing Kiddy to roam free off half-back.</p>



<p>He’s an expensive “mid-pricer”, so you might just be better off paying up a little more for a premo, but I do think he has the potential to be one of the best value defensive options this year.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cheapies</strong></h2>



<p>Do I even need to write this section?</p>



<p>It’s obviously about Will Ashcroft&#8230;</p>



<p>The kid who has already been touted as “better than Daicos” is absolutely firing in pre-season, reportedly collecting plenty of ball within the first 15 mins of the Lions’ match sim where he was “everywhere”.</p>



<p>In the NAB league last season, Ashcroft averaged 33.5 disposals, 3.3 marks, 4.9 tackles, and 159 SuperCoach points.</p>



<p>When he made the step up to VFL, many questioned whether his small frame would be able to adapt to the bigger bodies. Well, his averages of 27 touches, 3.3 marks, 5.3 tackles, and 0.76 goals would suggest that he is just fine coming up against grown men.</p>



<p>He could be a season keeper&#8230;</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Avoid</strong></h2>



<p>Pretty much for his whole career, Jarryd Lyons has been one of the most underrated players in the comp, and his SuperCoach stats reflect that also.</p>



<p>Every year &#8211; no matter what he’s averaging &#8211; his ownership always seems to be under 2%, even in 2021 when he averaged 118!</p>



<p>There are many coaches among us who thoroughly enjoy picking PODs for the excitement that it brings (me included), but this is the year that Lyons is an absolute no-no.</p>



<p>With Josh Dunkley and Will Ashcroft entering the midfield fray, Lyons will be edged out to play an unproductive role off the bench, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if he gets dropped entirely!</p>



<p>At 30 years of age, his best years are behind him, and it’s time for the Lions to shape the midfield around their youth.</p>


Squad Breakdown: Brisbane Lions 2023 SC analysis

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