Rank underdogs for the majority of the pre-season – they were on the second line of betting for each game - the Lions can emerge from the NAB Cup campaign proud of their efforts and with an extremely solid base to build on for the 2007 season proper.

Not only did the Lions win three games, they won three games in a manner that will give their supporters considerable optimism entering the round one clash with Hawthorn at the Gabba.

Against St Kilda, in the first week of the NAB Cup, they trailed early but ran over the top of the Saints in the second half. Opposed to the Western Bulldogs in the quarter-finals, the Lions ultimately out-ran a side regarded as one of the league's better running combinations. And in the semi-final against Geelong, the Lions held off a fightback from a team with a very talented list and much to prove in 2007.

Forward line

A bit tough to judge, given first-choice key forwards Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw played only one game between them. That said, there were many positives from the Lions' forward play in the pre-season, not the least being Ash McGrath's inspirational second quarter in the NAB Cup final against Carlton.

Coming off a 2006 that was interrupted by a hamstring injury, McGrath was solid throughout the summer and brilliant in term two against the Blues, helping inspire a Lions surge that put them in front going into half-time.

Brown, while limited to a solitary outing, what he showed against the Blues indicated he will again be a force to be reckoned with in 2007. Chris Johnson swung forward to good effect against Carlton and also in the semi-final, where he snared the mark of the pre-season. First-year player Matt Tyler also showed good signs for the future.

Midfield

Michael Voss has retired and Nigel Lappin was unavailable for the pre-season, but other than that it was business as usual. Simon Black was superb throughout the NAB Cup, lifting the Lions to victory over St Kilda in the wet in Cairns and finding plenty of the football in the other three matches. The 2002 Brownlow Medallist was ably assisted by fellow co-captain Luke Power, with Michael Rischitelli continuing the form that saw him become one of the league’s better regarded young players in 2006.

The Lions midfield, perhaps out of necessity with Brown on the sidelines, showed an encouraging ability to contribute goals in the pre-season. Justin Sherman's now-familiar finishing skills (and trademark celebrations) were supplemented by the likes of Power, Cheynee Stiller, Tim Notting and Black getting forward to fire on goal.

Backline

Minus Mal Michael and Justin Leppitsch, there was plenty of interest in how a new-look Lions defence would hold up. Pretty well, as it turned out. Daniel Merrett and Jared Brennan converted from being forwards-with-promise to regular defenders towards the end of 2006 and both were extremely solid in the NAB Cup. Merrett's education-on-the-job included a better-than-average showing against a rampant Brendan Fevola in the final, while the athletic Brennan looked at home in the back half of the field, twisting and turning to evade would-be tacklers and drive the Lions forward. Throw in the ever-developing Irish rookie Colm Begley (who even kicked a supergoal), the versatile Johnson, Notting, and established youngster Jed Adcock and the Lions shouldn't have too many problems with the back line.

Ruck

Injury, unfortunately, robbed Lions fans of a look at last year's No. 4 draft pick Matthew Leuenberger, but there was still much to enthuse about from the ruck brigade. Cameron Wood, the Lions' first pick of the 2004 national draft, continues to emerge as a potential frontline follower. Jamie Charman was limited by achilles trouble but did enough to show that his aggressive, physical approach will continue to be a major plus for the Lions. The presence of Beau McDonald, excellent in the semi-final win over Geelong, means the Lions potentially have three (possibly even four with Leuenberger fit) top-notch ruckmen to choose from.

MVP – Simon Black

It's almost impossible to go past Black, who, aside from his sublime distribution skills, is as honest as the proverbial day is long. Black's UNiTAB odds for the Brownlow Medal provide perhaps the best evidence of how good he was during the NAB Cup - he started it at $71 to win his second medal, but is now in to $23. Had the best possible start, inspiring the Lions to victory against St Kilda in a water-logged affair in round one and rarely dipped below that level. Was a driving force against Carlton in the NAB Cup grand final and his courageous in-and-under football almost invariably leads to something positive for the side. Looks set to be a leading contender for a fourth Merrett-Murray Medal.

Surprise packet – Jared Brennan

There is no surprise associated with seeing Brennan do well - the athletically blessed 22-year-old was the No. 3 pick of the 2002 national draft. For Brennan to emerge as a key defender, however, is at least mildly surprising. Switched into the back half towards the end of 2006, Brennan looked right at home in defence during the NAB Cup. Those who remember his brilliant debut against Collingwood in 2003 will recall that he spent the second half blanketing the dangerous Chris Tarrant. With injury having stifled his ability to string games together consistently since then, it now appears that Brennan has gone back to go forward. It’s a move that allows him to use his leaping ability and pace to shut down opponents while his uncanny evasiveness generates attacking moves for the Lions.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL