WHERE to from here for the beaten Brisbane Lions?

Firstly, the good news. Despite having won the flag in 2021, the Lions have a younger list than expected, with a strong chunk of their core in their early to mid 20s.

Spearhead forwards Jesse Wardlaw and Dakota Davidson are 22 and 23 respectively and livewire smalls Courtney Hodder (21) and Greta Bodey (26) have years of quality football ahead.

00:36

Dangerous Davidson lifts the Lions with slick checkside

Brisbane's Dakota Davidson kicks a superb banana goal to get Brisbane off and running in the second half

Ruck Tahlia Hickie (21) continues to grow in stature, and next season should be challenging Breann Moody and Lauren Pearce for the title of the best ruck in the game.

Brisbane has arguably the best one-two punch on the wing, with Orla O'Dwyer and Sophie Conway consistently producing elite footy, while the top tagger in the game, Cathy Svarc, is in Lions colours.

DEMONS v LIONS Full match coverage and stats

They were also able to successfully integrate a few new faces this year in Zimmie Farquharson, Ruby Svarc and Lulu Pullar.

The preliminary final loss to Melbourne shouldn't produce too many alarm bells. 

05:30

AFLW Match Highlights: Melbourne v Brisbane

The Dees and Lions clash in the preliminary final of the NAB AFL Women's competition

Interestingly, Craig Starcevich said the side was not used to opposition teams matching its first-class intensity and pressure around the footy, which was what the Demons managed to produce.

There isn't too much time for clubs to make wholesale changes to gameplans due to the short turnaround between seasons, which will hold the stronger sides like Brisbane in good stead.

EXPANSION LIST RULES How the four new clubs can sign players

While Brisbane's defence held up admirably in the absence of All-Australian Kate Lutkins, she still won't be available for the new season in August.

A tall key back will probably be at the top of Brisbane's wish list as cover, with Indy Tahau the only fit defender standing over 175cm.

Brisbane's Taylor Smith celebrates a goal during the preliminary final against Melbourne on April 2, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

Other than that, list maintenance will be key for Brisbane, who will be keen to hold onto its younger players who did not see much or any game time, given it’s a difficult 21 to break into.

The Lions should be fairly well insulated from expansion, with no new clubs to enter the Queensland market, and a strong player pathway through the QAFLW.

All in all, expect Brisbane to be once again competing at the pointy end of next season.

Did you head to the footy over the weekend? Tell us your thoughts! Take the survey now