The List Manager: Jon Ralph examines Brisbane’s current list, its future and everything in between

The Lions knocked on the premiership door for years, now they have a collection of talent that could set them up for another 21st century dynasty, writes Jon Ralph. But there’s one big question.

As Brisbane fell short in five successive finals campaigns the sceptics warned if they didn’t cash in, the list cliff was coming.

Now after Chris Fagan secured that breakthrough premiership there is every reason to believe the Lions are on the brink of a dynasty.

With only one caveat.

That Joe Daniher-sized hole at full forward.

Brisbane showed huge resilience to bounce back from a perilous position early in the year then learned the lessons of the 2023 Grand Final loss to bushwhack Sydney in the decider.

They did it while spending the last three seasons bringing in a collection of talent that will only extend that window.

The Lions just won the flag and might now be set to add the best player in the draft. Picture: Michael Klein

Some of it was good luck and some good management, with Levi Ashcroft about to join Josh Dunkley, Will Ashcroft, Jaspa Fletcher, Logan Morris, Darcy Wilmot and Kai Lohmann on a list that is going nowhere.

Neither is Chris Fagan, about to extend his contract to the end of 2026.

Now comes yet another mighty challenge for Fagan in reconfiguring a forward line without the retired Daniher.

Watch that Grand Final victory again – or any of the club’s recent finals – and you realise what a titanic figure he was for Brisbane.

In the ruck, up the ground, kicking key goals to snatch the final against GWS.

So the Lions enter 2025 with challenges but also a beckoning opportunity to do what Leigh Matthews’ sides did in the early 2000s – cash in on an elite list and win multiple flags.

TRADE PERIOD RATING 8/10

Brisbane’s biggest slice of luck came mid-year when the AFL decided against changing the bidding system for father-son and academy players until 2025.

It meant the Lions could accumulate a collection of back-end picks to snare Ashcroft and academy mid Sam Marshall instead of having to find first-round picks.

So they traded their first pick to Richmond for a heap of back-end points while also trading out their future second and third-round picks, bringing back Essendon’s future third-rounder.

They had a look around for Daniher replacements but never considered launching a huge trade, with ex-Suns forward Sam Day looking the mostly likely player to fill his spot.

Dev Robertson was keen to get back to Perth or a club like Collingwood which would have given him opportunities but it never quite happened.

Hard-running Harry Sharp found a way to Melbourne so while the Lions will worry about the now (Daniher’s loss) they have again stockpiled elite kids to extend their period in the sun.

Sam Marshall is also set to join the fold. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

LIST HOLES

Daniher’s critics melted away across the past three seasons and 11 finals.

Yes, he was a different cat and could shank set shots from point-blank range.

But consider those big finals moments from the 2022 elimination final onwards, as he kicked the matchwinner against Richmond after Tom Lynch’s set shot went over the goal post.

In last year’s three finals he kicked five, two and three goals while also spending some time in the ruck.

This year he kicked two goals in the final four minutes against GWS to sink the Giants, went into the ruck against Geelong when Oscar McInerney’s shoulder popped out, then was marvellous in the Grand Final.

So after a 27-game, 58-goal, 58-hitout season, he is irreplaceable.

The Lions like Day because he crashes packs and can play second ruck.

Joe Daniher is gone, who replaces him? Picture: Mark Stewart

There are other options.

But Eric Hipwood is a 200cm half forward, Logan Morris is a third forward, Darcy Fort is a quality second ruck and Darcy Gardiner is a backman who can pinch-hit forward.

So Fagan will try to reboot his forward line, aware few other clubs have such an elite band of mediums and smalls in Lohmann (36 goals, nine in four finals), Charlie Gardiner, Cam Rayner and Zac Bailey.

Keidean Coleman and Tom Doedee return to the backline after ACL tears, even if the club should give them all the time in the world to get 100 per cent fit.

And the midfield is absolutely stacked and (as below) about to get better.

DRAFT STRATEGY

Brisbane still hopes to take three national draft selections, hopeful it has accumulated enough points to have some left over after it matches a pair of bids for future stars.

Recruiters say Levi Ashcroft is a more outgoing version of his diligent, laser-focused brother Will but in football terms he is a clone.

He racks up the footy, he barely plays a bad game, he is tough, he rises to the occasion in big contests.

In his single VFL game for Brisbane he had 35 touches, kicked at 74 per cent efficiency, had 11 clearances and four centre square clearances, kicked a goal and had five tackles.

Big brother Will might say ‘who cares’ given I just did it in a Grand Final (30 touches, a goal, nine contested possessions, one Norm Smith Medal).

So Ashcroft comes in alongside academy mid Sam Marshall, who was best afield in the Coates League Grand Final with 175 ranking points, 28 touches, two goals and nine score involvements.

They add to a midfield which goes like this – Lachie Neale, Dunkley, Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry, Bailey, Dev Robertson, Jaspa Fletcher and a pinch-hitting Rayner and Dayne Zorko.

That midfield is simply awesome if Levi can get going quickly like his brother.

AFL PLAYER RATINGS

In 2024 Neale was fifth, McInerney 43rd, Dunkley 55th, McCluggage 56th, Harris Andrews 91st, Rayner 96th. Will Ashcroft can hit the ground running and finish as a top-25 player next year.

PREMIERSHIP WINDOW

Zorko is 36 in February and Neale 32 in May with Charlie Cameron and Oscar McInerney both turning 31 during the 2025 season.

But look at the precocious youth.

Morris 19, Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher 20, Darcy Wilmot only 21 in December, Coleman 24, with Rayner, Jack Payne, Bailey, Answerth and Starcevich 25.

Rival clubs might say that of course the window is open when you get three father-sons and an academy mid in the space of three seasons.

But Brisbane isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

There’s a healthy mix of youth and experience at the Lions. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/Getty Images

SALARY CAP ROOM

Daniher departs and with it goes at least a $750,000 pay packet.

Dev Robertson nearly joined him and would have cleared at least $400,000 but he will hope to have footy’s best pre-season to crack into the midfield next year.

So the cap is tight but manageable, with Rayner just signed up long-term on a deal through to 2031 and McCluggage and Berry committing as free agents last year.

This year Cal Ah Chee, Conor McKenna and Starcevich are out of contract but after Rayner’s signing, no other huge names are out.

TRADE TARGETS 2025

Even if Morris comes on again he’s a second or third forward so the chase will start for a genuine bash-and-crash forward.

They are darned hard to find – Max King and Darcy Fogarty just re-signed, Oscar Allan will stay at West Coast.

Tom Lynch is out of contract but will be 34 by next October, Tom De Koning will surely stay, Jeremy Cameron is out of contract but isn’t leaving the farm (or Geelong).

TRADE BAIT

Robertson is the obvious figure, who will be out of contract next year after that Eagles trade didn’t quite get done.

Callum Ah Chee, Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris are all out of contract next year (Morris can add a third season to his mandatory two-year deal), but after Lohmann knocked back multiple clubs at the end of 2023 then broke out this year he isn’t going anywhere.