BEST 25
B: Joel Macdonald, Daniel Merrett, Jason Roe
HB: Nigel Lappin, Joel Patfull, Josh Drummond
C: Tim Notting, Jed Adcock, Travis Johnstone
HF: Jared Brennan, Jonathan Brown, Michael Rischitelli
F: Rhan Hooper, Daniel Bradshaw, Mitch Clark
FOLL: Jamie Charman, Simon Black, Luke Power
I/C: Cheynee Stiller, Matthew Leuenberger, Robert Copeland, Troy Selwood
EMG: Justin Sherman, Colm Begley, Lachie Henderson
The rest of the squad:
Matt Austin, Tom Collier, Anthony Corrie, Bradd Dalziell, Scott Harding, James Hawksley, Beau McDonald, Ash McGrath, Wayde Mills, Matthew Moody, James Polkinghorne, Albert Proud, Chris Schmidt, Sam Sheldon, Matt Tyler, Scott Clouston (rookie), Daniel Dzufer (rookie), Pat Garner (rookie), Pearce Hanley (rookie), Haydn Kiel (rookie), Phil Smith (rookie), Joel Tippett (rookie)
The Lions possess an impressive best 25. Their midfield is first-class and the addition of Johnstone adds depth. They have an imposing forward set-up, especially if Bradshaw and Clark can remain healthy. The Lions are still developing down back, despite the progress of Merrett and Patfull last year, while Leuenberger's partnership with Charman has the potential to be one of the best in the business in 2008.
AGE (As at March 20, 2008)
* 21 years and under: (25)
* 22-25: (13)
* 26-29: (8)
* 30+: (1)
The Lions have had a dramatic shift in age since their golden era. Now just over half of the club's list is 21 years or younger – they have the fourth youngest list in the AFL – but they are not a long way off Geelong's 2007 squad, which keeps them in the hunt for 2008.
MATCHES (As at March 20, 2008)
* 0: (14)
* 1-25: (9)
* 26-50: (10)
* 51-100: (5)
* 101-200: (7)
* 200: (2)
Despite a host of untried youngsters, the Lions are developing nicely in the 26-50-game bracket. Again, they are not miles off from where Geelong was this time last year, boosting their chances for the year ahead.
HEIGHT (As at March 20, 2008)
* 184cm and under: (14)
* 185-190cm: (17)
* 191-199cm: (14)
* 200cm+: (2)
The Lions are one of the tallest clubs in the AFL, adding an edge to their flag quest. A strong line up of 185-190cm types fits the premiership pattern, but they now have just one 200cm-plus player with the retirement of Beau McDonald.
POSITIONS
* Defenders: (11)
Smalls: (0)
Mediums: (5)
Talls: (6)
* Midfielders: (22)
Smalls: (6)
Mediums: (16)
Talls: (0)
* Forwards: (10)
Smalls: (2)
Mediums: (2)
Talls: (6)
* Rucks: (4)
The Lions have one of the deepest midfields in the competition – almost doubling in number the 2007 Geelong squad. They are solid down back and have a great number of tall forwards. While they don't have many smalls, their squad measures up in premiership readiness.
SUMMARY
Injuries were a problem for the Lions in 2007 and have continued to be an issue over the pre-season. But if the Lions can get close to fielding their best 25 on a weekly basis, they are capable of emulating the 2007 Port Adelaide side – rising up the ladder and into a Grand Final. The Lions still have eight premiership players in their best 25 and some excellent additions since their most recent Grand Final in 2004.
NUTSHELL
Overcome the injury woes and a bolt back into Grand Final contention is right on the cards.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
