THE BRISBANE Lions will choose five players in Saturday’s National Draft – but what do they actually need?

Simon White runs the rule over existing playing stocks and highlights where there is space in the Lions’ den for further growth.

Forwards: There probably isn’t a lot the Lions could add to their forward line. They’ve got a Coleman medalist (Jonathan Brown), a two-time club leading goal-kicker (Daniel Bradshaw) and two noted crumbers (Rhan Hooper and Ash McGrath). Throw in the athletic skills of Jared Brennan and the ability of Jamie Charman and Matthew Leuenberger to play forward when required and it adds up to a pretty formidable attacking line-up. Perhaps the one thing the Lions could use is a leading mid-sized goal-kicking threat – a role filled last season by converted defender Robbie Copeland.

Midfield: Again the Lions have plenty of options and no shortage of talent. The experienced (Simon Black, Luke Power, Nigel Lappin and Tim Notting) are still playing quality football and the up-and-comers (Jed Adcock, Michael Rischitelli and Cheynee Stiller) are more than handy. But as coach Leigh Matthews has pointed out, you can never have too many good midfielders. And a midfielder with a blinding turn of speed (think Melbourne’s Aaron Davey) would be a nice luxury.

Defence: On face value the area in which the Lions have most room to grow. Replacing champion centre-half-back Justin Leppitsch was always going to be difficult and, while Joel Patfull and Jason Roe have fared well, they are undersized when matched up on the bigger centre-half-forwards. The move of Jed Adcock in the middle of the ground probably leaves the Lions without the kind of quick small defender who can stand the likes of Jeff Farmer and Stephen Milne.

Ruck: With Jamie Charman likely to be the No.1 ruckman and Matthew Leuenberger and Beau McDonald fighting for the chance to deputise, the Lions have obvious strengths in the big man department. But their other ruck option from last year, Cameron Wood, has moved to Collingwood and depth could be tested by injury. Another young giant probably wouldn’t go astray.