BRISBANE Lions ruckman Stefan Martin is on the verge of rediscovering his career-best form of two years ago.
Martin was outstanding in his side's 39-point JLT Community Series loss to Adelaide at Hickinbotham Oval on Saturday.
Martin's form dropped off dramatically last year as he faced competition from impressive youngster Archie Smith.
But the 30-year-old relished the challenge of being the solo ruckman against the Crows, having 43 hit-outs, 19 possessions and eight marks, with Lions coach Chris Fagan electing to play Smith in a NEAFL trial instead this weekend.
"That was a step up for Stef because he's been a little bit quiet the first two weeks, albeit the shortened game and we played Archie Smith, so we shared ruck duties," Fagan said.
"Today he put his shoulder to the wheel, competed really well, ran forward, got involved in some forward line play, did all that we asked of him.
"We'll wait and see (if we go with one ruckman)."
WATCH: Chris Fagan's full post-match media conference
The Lions will be hoping Martin can take that form into their season opener against Queensland rivals Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on March 25.
After winning just three games in 2016 and avoiding the wooden spoon by only percentage ahead of a depleted Essendon, the Lions have shown positive signs in the pre-season competition.
They beat the reigning premiers, the Western Bulldogs, and also stayed close to a Crows side that is expected to challenge for the flag.
"The first thing I take out of it is in round 20 last year, the Crows beat Brisbane by 138 points, and today they beat us by 39 points," Fagan said.
"I think that's evidence of growth in lots of ways.
"Offensively we were able to kick a better score, I think we kicked six goals, three that day.
"We can see that our players are starting to understand the way that we want them to play.
"They've had three opportunities in the last month to try it out against opposition.
"We've got a young group, the youngest list (in the competition), and we're just going to keep trusting them and getting better.
"I've learnt we've got a group of young men who desperately want to improve and want to earn the respect of the AFL competition, and they will do their hardest to achieve that."
New Lions skipper Dayne Beams had a game-high 35 touches as Fagan looks for more midfield depth.
"It's difficult when you only play seven or eight through there and other teams are fronting up with 10 or 12, because in the end they get you," Fagan said.
"We'll be looking to find as many options as we can in our midfield because we know guys like Dayne Beams and Tom Rockliff, they can go forward and score as well, so we've got to try and get a bit out of those guys in that department.
"Hugh McCluggage didn't play today, Jarrod Berry, Rhys Mathieson, there's a number of young players we can bring into that mix who will get their opportunities throughout the season."
