The first month may go a long way towards dictating the Lions' season, playing just one team - Carlton - from last season's top eight. They have only four 'short' weeks in a draw stacked with day fixtures. The Lions play 10 afternoon matches and another three in the twilight timeslot and will make two trips to Perth.
Pivotal match
The round four match against Gold Coast shapes as an important early season test for the Lions. Not only is it a local derby - that they lost in the corresponding fixture last year - but it comes immediately prior to a tough stretch of matches that includes Geelong, Essendon and Collingwood. A win is crucial.
Injury list
The Lions will be without two of its most valuable players early in the season with captain Jonathan Brown (cheekbone) due back in round three and classy half-back Josh Drummond (hip) short of match fitness after missing a chunk of pre-season. With Daniel Merrett and Daniel Rich overcoming recent niggles, the majority of the squad is in great shape.
Track specialist
Despite a late injury scare with a recurring foot problem, Rich has set the training track alight during the pre-season. Now in his fourth year, the West Australian has improved his endurance and is ready to jump to the next level. Look out for a much bigger Patrick Karnezis who has added considerable size to his first-year frame.
Dream Team special
If you're looking for some value it's hard to go past second-year duo Jared Polec ($215,800) and Claye Beams ($214,700). Both missed most of 2011 through injury but have been stars in the pre-season and are poised to start in round one. They rack up disposals and kick goals, making the pair great value early in the season.
Draftee watch
Usually ruckmen take time to develop, but the No. 8 pick from last year NAB AFL Draft, Billy Longer, looks ready to go. The Lions are well stocked with Matthew Leuenberger in the ruck, but Longer shapes as a valuable foil and will almost certainly play games this season with his ability to go forward and kick goals.
Needs a big year
Aaron Cornelius is undoubtedly the club's most talented young forward but has managed just 14 games in three seasons. Is good on the lead and has fantastic hands, but the coaches want the Tasmanian to work harder on his defensive pressure. Commanding a regular spot would help a forward line that is too often reliant on Brown.
Best and fairest tip
You could throw a blanket over the Lions' candidates and would expect last year's top three of Tom Rockliff, Simon Black and Jack Redden to all go close again. Watch for Merrett to poll strongly with a full season under his belt, but big ruckman Matthew Leuenberger could swoop the field as he continues to rise towards the competition's elite.
The Brisbane Lions will have a good year if…
… their 40-70 game players take ownership. Although the Lions will require near-to full seasons from bookends Merrett and Brown to be successful, the likes of Leuenberger, Rockliff, Redden, Rich and Polkinghorne must not only improve, but lead their younger teammates back towards the finals.
The big issues
Which young forward will complement Jonathan Brown? As teams continue to double-team Brown, the Lions must find a foil to take the goalkicking load off the captain.
Can the Lions finish games better in 2012? Whichever way you cut it, the Lions were poor in fourth quarters last year. They blew a number of final-term leads - particularly at home - and must rectify that to head north on the ladder.
Can Josh Drummond get through a full season? The classy half-back with the penetrating left boot has had a wretched run with injuries and gives the Lions a whole new dimension when on the park.
Best 22
FB: Mitch Golby, Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock
HB: Joel Patfull, Matt Maguire, Josh Drummond
C: Daniel Rich, Jack Redden, Pearce Hanley
HF: Ryan Lester, Patrick Karnezis, James Polkinghorne
FF: Todd Banfield, Jonathan Brown, Ash McGrath
FOLL: Matthew Leuenberger, Simon Black, Tom Rockliff
I/C: Jared Polec, Claye Beams, Andrew Raines
Sub: Rohan Bewick
AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: 15th
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
