Dayne Beams to captain Brisbane Lions again in 2018, Luke Hodge not added to leadership group

THE Brisbane Lions will stick to what they know best in 2018, with former Hawthorn great Luke Hodge not promoted to the club’s leadership group.

Luke Hodge will act as a mentor for the Brisbane Lions.

THE Lions will stick to what they know best in 2018, with former Hawthorn great Luke Hodge not promoted to the club’s leadership group.

Brisbane will again be guided by skipper Dayne Beams for the season ahead, with Dayne Zorko, Stefan Martin, Allen Christensen, Ryan Lester and Harris Andrews to make up the rest of the leadership group.

The only change from 2017 is the loss of Tom Rockliff (Port Adelaide), with Hodge to instead be used in a mentoring role.

Beams said the leadership group is much stronger than it was last season, as the leaders continue to support the young playing group.

“The last three months since we’ve come back, we’ve worked really well as a collective,” he said of the group.

“It hasn’t just been myself or someone else, it’s been a real collective approach to things.

“We’ve all been driving standards and driving the culture. Weight in numbers is the best thing you can have at a footy club.”

Beams said that the leadership group knows it can turn to four-time premiership winner Hodge for guidance when needed.

“My perception of him before he came here was that he was a courageous player who led by example,” Beams said of Hodge.

“He’s a really good on-field coach and he’s going to be really good for our young backline.

“When you get to know him, he’s also a really good person and a genuine guy.”