Brisbane will be premiership contenders in 2020 after learning valuable lessons this season

Brisbane suffered a heartbreaking end to its season against GWS but the Lions will be better for the experience heading into 2020 when they’re a force to be reckoned with, Andrew Hamilton writes.

Lachie Neale took his game to a new level in his first season at Brisbane. Picture: Getty

Brisbane will carry the memories of those mad final minutes in their semi-final against GWS with them through a long hot summer.

And it might just propel them all the way to a Grand Final appearance next year.

There is no doubt the Lions were capable of extending their season beyond week two of the finals, they beat preliminary finalists Geelong and GWS in the home-and-away season and quite clearly had a semi-final win within their grasp when they hit the lead over GWS with five minutes to go.

In that regard it was a disappointing end to the season but when the emotions subsided enough for some clear thinking, the coaching staff would still see the year as a roaring success.

They climbed from 15th to 2nd at the end of the home-and-away season and recorded a nine-game winning streak after the bye which captured the imagination of the entire state.

The Lions are a hot ticket again and as crowds grow so does the home ground advantage.

The players are less capable of taking comfort in their achievements because they believed they were good enough to keep going. And that’s not a bad thing.

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Lions coach Chris Fagan and his players after the semi-final loss to GWS.

They need to return for day one of the pre-season even hungrier than they were this year because if they don’t they will go backwards.

It disrespects league footy to say the Lions are automatic top four finishers next year or the season is a failure.

They will get a tougher draw for starters and it is wishful thinking to assume they will have another injury-free run like they enjoyed this year.

And their rivals who had some poor luck on the injury front, namely Richmond, GWS and Collingwood may have a better time next season.

But they are good enough to again finish top four and if they do, the experience they gained will make them a totally different proposition next September.

I see them as genuine premiership contenders.

The major ingredient they lacked in the finals was composure which is best learned through experience.

Luke Hodge has retired and Nick Robertson may seek greater opportunities elsewhere but the rest of the side that played in the two finals at the Gabba will be back.

And they all now know what finals are all about.

Lachie Neale took his game to a new level in his first season at Brisbane. Picture: Getty

Brisbane receive an A mark for their off-season recruiting with Lachie Neale and Jarryd Lyons particularly instrumental in their surge up the ladder.

But they can’t rest on their laurels, because there are areas on the list that need to be improved.

The potential addition of Sun Callum Ah Chee would be huge.

Brisbane’s lack of pace behind the ball was exposed throughout the finals.

Generally throughout the season it was compensated by up the ground pressure but when there is quick ball movement from turnovers the Lions are vulnerable.

Ah Chee would help enormously as will Zac Bailey as he continues to find his feet at senior level.

The other problem area remains the forward set-up.

Eric Hipwood and Dan McStay both showed glimpses in an encouraging season but they aren’t necessarily the types that suit Brisbane’s surge-it-forward game style.

They began well working in tandem with one of them dragging one defender out of the hot zone while the other simply crashed a pack to bring the ball to ground for their small forwards.

But as the year wore on the opposition began to take intercept marks and the goals dried up for the crumbers.

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Hipwood’s natural game is to get out into space so Fagan must rethink his offensive strategy or find a big bodied brute who can compete all day under the high ball.

The re-signing of both McStay and Hipwood would suggest they are happy to work with what they have got and ruck-forward Oscar McInerney’s physical capacity to have an impact in his dual roles should improve with another AFL standard pre-season under his belt.

The most encouraging thing pointing to a return to the finals for the Lions is the age demographic of their list.

They have some serious talent entering their third and fourth years.

Hugh McCluggage is a genuine star of the competition and was a worthy selection in the All Australian squad. Jarrod Berry is as honest as the day is long and will take another step next year while Cam Rayner showed throughout the finals he is a potential match winner. Expect him to be the big improver next year after the penny finally dropped about the physical standards he needs to achieve to be able to make the impact he desires.