THE arrival of Greg Swann to the Lions midway through 2014 heralded the dawn of a new era for Brisbane.

The bitter board battle of 2013 was behind them and with new-found stability above, Swann had some clear air to set about restoring some pride to the Lions.

The occasional wrong decision could and would still be made – the recontracting of Justin Leppitsch late in 2015 was a miss-step – but the disharmony of the previous regimes no longer clouded every move Brisbane made.

And the direct impact on Brisbane from the Suns’ arrival into the competition began to wane.

Gold Coast had local access to all Queenslanders for the first three years of their existence.

That rule expired in 2013 and the timing couldn’t have been better for the Lions, who secured academy products Harris Andrews and Eric Hipwood in the next two drafts.

Picking an important appointment or decision during that period is like throwing darts at a board.

Anywhere you land is going to score.

The overhaul of the welfare, sports science and medical teams at the club were all hugely successful, as was recruitment of list manager Dom Ambrogio.

But the “triple 20” score was clearly the appointment of Chris Fagan at the end of 2016.

David Noble’s recruitment as footy manager ranks a very close second, and some even say they are on a par, but ultimately players play for coaches.

And the AFL basically inserted Noble into Brisbane, so while Swann and co can take the credit for a lot that has gone right at Brisbane, their footy manager was thrust upon them.

Not that anybody is complaining.

Noble and Fagan have become such a double act it is often difficult to separate the two.

But first back to Leppitsch.

LEPPA’S LEGACY

There were mitigating factors behind the decision to recontract Leppitsch.

The Lions did not want a club legend entering the final year of a contract and the constant questions about the coach’s future that brings if the losses start mounting up.

It is the same situation Gold Coast now face with Stuart Dew, and the player grumblings and unhappy staff that is dogging the Suns at the moment were rampant at Brisbane as they headed into 2016.

Swann was ultimately the man who had to tap Leppitsch on the shoulder but this time it came after a complete top to bottom review of the club’s football operations.

That review identified a need for a senior football manager as well as a new coach, and found problems right across the football operations.

But Brisbane also have a bit to thank Leppitsch for.

He backed in the kids.

The likes of Andrews, Hipwood, Darcy Gardiner and Dan McStay all played every week under Leppitsch.

Even in his pitch as he fought desperately to save his job, Leppitsch told the club the framework for success was there.

Leigh Matthews’ actions in this period were significant. Matthews had offered qualified support for Leppitsch during the review period because he understood the need to find out if the young players on the list were up to the task.

It was how Matthews responded to the pressure on his former vice-captain that showed just how united the once fragmented Lions had become in a short time.

Rather than use his considerable influence in an attempt to rally support to save Leppitsch, which some Leppitsch backers suggested he should do in the media, Matthews accepted the findings of the review.

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On the day Leppitsch departed, the speculation quickly followed that Matthews would also end his time at the club.

But he had no intention of leaving and remains there to this day.

However, he did remove himself from the decision-making process when the club went after its next coach saying, in a magnanimous gesture, that perhaps he was better at coaching than picking coaches.

SWANN’S GOLDEN MOVES

While the changeover from Leppitsch to Fagan will forever be seen as the turning point for the Lions, a whole raft of changes since Swann’s arrival were significant.

High performance manager Brett Burton moved on and was replaced by Damien Austin.

Burton, now at Adelaide, was a contentious figure throughout the coaching tenures of Voss and Leppitsch. Not only did the club have a poor injury record, there was also suggestions neither coach always enjoyed his full support.

Brisbane also ditched contracted external medical services for an in-house team lead by long time AIS medico Peter Blanch.

Under the Blanch-Austin partnership the Lions quickly evolved from being one of the least durable lists in the competition to the most durable this season.

Noble also kicked some major goals very early in his tenure.

He brought Ambrogio in at the start of 2017 who, in two bumper off-seasons, has signed Charlie Cameron, Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons, Marcus Adams and Lincoln McCarthy.

And the move of well-regarded academy coach Scott Borlace into a head of development role is credited with the advanced performances the Lions are receiving from their young draftees.

New coaches have a habit of talking down everything that happened before they arrived and sweeping the broom through the place to bring in their own people.

So when Fagan arrived following a three-win season in 2016, there must have been plenty of staff on edge.

But Fagan quickly showed his true colours. He is a teacher and nurturer by nature.

“He didn’t think the place was hopeless,’’ Swann said.

“He didn’t ask for any changes, he wanted to give everyone the chance to show what they could do.’’

RISE OF THE LIONS:

PART ONE: From kings to paupers

PART TWO: The recruiting masterstroke

Skipper Dayne Zorko says Fagan restored trust to the Gabba and considers him the most significant figure in his career.

“Having that open door policy and building those relationships from the very first time we met was something that builds a lot of trust,’’ Zorko said.

“I think what he has been able to do in such a short amount of time for this football club is remarkable.

“Every time you go out there you want to succeed for the passion and the energy that he brings to the playing group, and myself and no one else wants to let him down.

“I reckon the very first time we met the instant connection, was very significant.’’