But here's a look back at the 2011 campaign and a quick snapshot of each match and just where the votes might go.
Round 1: Fremantle 13.16 (94) d Brisbane Lions 14.8 (92)
The Lions led by 17 points during the last quarter but after serious injuries to Jonathan Brown (face) and Brent Staker (knee), ran out of steam and were pipped at the post. Black had 27 touches and should poll votes in an even match.
3. A.Sandilands
2. S.Black
1. D.Mundy
Round 2: Western Bulldogs 19.9 (123) d Brisbane Lions 6.9 (45)
Coughed up five goals to none in the first quarter and were never in the hunt. Don't expect the slightest of look-ins for a vote here despite Black's 31 touches.
3. R.Griffen
2. M.Boyd
1. A.Cooney
Round 3: Melbourne 12.10 (82) d Brisbane Lions 11.5 (71)
Bounced out of the blocks quickly with a five goals to one opening term, but Melbourne eventually ground their way to a tight win. Liam Jurrah's five goals were influential as was the Dees' midfield combination of Mark Jamar and Brent Moloney. Luke Power had 25 disposals and four goals for the Lions.
3. B.Moloney
2. L.Jurrah
1. L.Power
Round 5: St Kilda 13.11 (89) d Brisbane Lions 11.10 (76)
The Easter Thursday match was nip and tuck the whole way with the Lions giving up a narrow three-quarter time lead. St Kilda's midfield starred, while late goals from Adam Schneider sealed the win. Adcock, Clark and Merrett could all lay claims to sneaking a vote here.
3. L.Montagna
2. A.Schneider
1. J.Adcock
Round 6: Richmond 18.16 (124) d Brisbane Lions 14.14 (98)
A fluctuating match at the MCG and despite being within a kick late in the third quarter, the Lions were over-run and as Nathan Foley (40 disposals) and Dustin Martin (35) ran riot in the middle for Richmond. Black (34 disposals) was head and shoulders above any Lion and has claims for a vote.
3. N.Foley
2. D.Martin
1. J.King
Round 7: Gold Coast 18.16 (124) d Brisbane Lions 17.14 (116)
The first QClash was one of the most exciting matches of the season but after drawing level in the final quarter, the Lions lost their sixth straight match. Jared Brennan haunted his old teammates with a best on ground performance while Black (31 disposals), Daniel Rich (26 and three goals) and Ash McGrath (six second-half goals) were all strong for the Lions.
3. J.Brennan
2. N.Krakouer
1. D.Rich
Round 8: Essendon 15.12 (102) d Brisbane Lions 9.12 (66)
The Bombers came to the Gabba red-hot and after a slow first-half - the Lions led by one point at the main break - they kicked into gear to cruise away with a comfortable win. With Essendon dominating possession and the inside 50s, don't expect any votes here, although Rich (23 disposals, nine clearances) and Adcock (24) were shining lights.
3. D.Zaharakis
2. H.Hocking
1. D.Myers
Round 9: Brisbane Lions 10.13 (73) d North Melbourne 8.11 (59)
In his first match back from facial surgery, captain Jonathan Brown led his team to its first win of the season. The Lions trailed by 20 points during the second quarter, but Brown bagged four goals in the second half on a wet night to prove the difference. Adcock (26 disposals) was again among the big ball winners.
3. J.Brown
2. J.Adcock
1. B.Rawlings
Round 10: Brisbane Lions 15.11 (101) d Adelaide 8.13 (61)
In what would prove their most polished performance of the season, the Lions would totally dominate the Crows and make it back-to-back wins. With no contribution from Brown on the scoreboard, Mitch Clark (24 disposals and two goals) was a beacon in the forward line, while Black (32) again led the possession count.
3. M.Clark
2. D.Merrett
1. S.Black
Round 11: Sydney Swans 17.14 (116) d Brisbane Lions 7.9 (51)
From their best performance to arguably their worst, the Lions were woeful against the Swans in this Saturday night fizzer. They trailed by 78 points late in the first half and despite some spirit after the break, were never in the contest. More chance of finding yourself on the moon tomorrow than getting a vote here.
3. A.Goodes
2. J.Bolton
1. R.O'Keefe
Round 12: Carlton 19.10 (124) d Brisbane Lions 9.9 (63)
The score was one-sided but the Lions showed a lot more fight in this match than the previous week, but were simply outclassed. Jack Redden (32 disposals) and Black (30) worked tirelessly, but expect the Blues' midfield to dominate the votes. Any number of Carlton players could get the 3-2-1 here.
3. K.Simpson
2. M.Murphy
1. C.Judd
Round 13: Richmond 18.17 (125) d Brisbane Lions 14.10 (94)
Much like the first part of their season, the Lions were close (within four points early in the last quarter) but faded. Richmond's best players excelled with the match on the line, but Leuenberger (23 disposals, 34 hitouts) and Jack Redden (25) are a chance of grabbing a vote.
3. D.Martin
2. T.Cotchin
1. M.Leuenberger
Round 14: Fremantle 12.16 (88) d Brisbane Lions 10.5 (65)
After battling for much of the night to be within three points at the final change, the Lions were steamrolled in the last quarter and only poor kicking by the home team cost them a bigger victory. Matthew Pavlich (29 disposals, five goals) is a lock for the three votes, although Black (33) was again a star.
3. M.Pavlich
2. G.Broughton
1. S.Black
Round 15: Brisbane Lions 15.9 (99) d Port Adelaide 13.10 (88)
It wasn't pretty but it was a win. The Lions trailed by 20 points late in the third but stormed home with the final five goals to win. Power forward Jay Schulz bagged seven goals while Rockliff (31 disposals), Raines (29) and the old firm of Black and Power (24 each) got plenty of ball.
3. J.Schulz
2. S.Black
1. L.Power
Round 16: Hawthorn 16.9 (105) d Brisbane Lions 9.9 (63)
Another notable effort but another loss for the Lions. They pushed the Hawks for three quarters but conceded six goals to one in the last quarter to lose by 42 points. Redden (32 disposals, two goals), Rockliff (31) and Black (30) all got amongst the possessions and are a chance to snare one vote.
3. L.Hodge
2. J.Gibson
1. J.Redden
Round 17: Geelong 20.13 (133) d Brisbane Lions 15.14 (104)
This match will be remembered for the sickening collision that left Jonathan Brown requiring more facial surgery. It was also another match the Lions led at three-quarter time (by three points) before being over-run by the classy Cats.
3. J.Podsiadly
2. J.Bartel
1. M.Leuenberger
Round 18: North Melbourne 17.20 (122) d Brisbane Lions 11.11 (77)
The Lions tried hard but it was only North Melbourne's poor kicking for goal that kept them in the match for as long as they were. The Kangaroos were terrific in the midfield, but Black's 37 disposals were a highlight. Rockliff (29) and Adcock (27) were also tireless.
3. R.Bastinac
2. S.Black
1. J.Ziebell
Round 20: Adelaide 16.14 (110) d Brisbane Lions 16.9 (105)
Possibly the most disappointing loss of the season as the Lions led by 20 points midway through the last quarter, only to lose. Tom Rockliff (34 disposals) was brilliant and should be rewarded with two votes, while Black and Hanley were also among the Lions' best.
3. S.Thompson
2. T.Rockliff
1. N.van Berlo
Round 21: Brisbane Lions 18.15 (123) d Gold Coast 8.13 (61)
Sweet revenge for the Lions after the round seven loss. They were never really troubled and put an exclamation point on the victory with eight goals to four in the last quarter. Black and Leuenberger could have raffled best on ground, while Redden and Hanley were also exceptional. A near-certain clean sweep of the votes here.
3. S.Black
2. M.Leuenberger
1. J.Redden
Round 22: Collingwood 14.18 (102) d Brisbane Lions 13.6 (84)
The Lions passed their big test against the reigning premier at the MCG with flying colours. Competitive in the first half, trampled in the third quarter, but resilient in the last to reduce the final margin. Leuenberger was superb in the ruck against Darren Jolly, while Rockliff (30 disposals) held his own in the midfield.
3. T.Cloke
2. D.Swan
1. M.Leuenberger
Round 23: West Coast 13.11 (89) d Brisbane Lions 11.15 (81)
On the night that Luke Power called it quits after 282 games with the Lions, the home team surrendered a 29-point lead late in the third quarter to lose. The Eagles kicked eight of the final 10 goals to snatch victory. Rockliff (30 disposals) was magnificent in defeat and could have taken three votes if the Lions won. Hanley and Rich (27) also impressed.
3. C.Masten
2. T.Rockliff
1. Q.Lynch
Round 24: Sydney Swans 18.11 (119) d Brisbane Lions 9.13 (67)
The Swans kicked eight goals in the second quarter to effectively put this game away by half-time. Goodes (29 disposals, four goals) again toyed with the Lions and should lead a Swans clean sweep of the votes.
3. A.Goodes
2. J.Bolton
1. J.Kennedy
Lions Leaderboard:
11: Simon Black
5: Matthew Leuenberger
4: Tom Rockliff
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
