Introduction
After missing last season's finals, the Lions returned to training on November 7 and headed straight to Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast for a week. Following that, five of the club's leaders - Jonathan Brown, Daniel Merrett, Simon Black, Tom Rockliff and Jed Adcock - flew to Arizona for altitude training while the remainder of the group stayed in Brisbane. With a young list being over-run in a number of matches last season, the clear early-season focus has been on improving endurance.
Medical room
In the early stages of rehab from his knee reconstruction, utility Brent Staker has been the only constant on the sidelines for the Lions. Josh Drummond and Callum Bartlett also started pre-season on modified programs after big injury interruptions last season, but are beginning to join in with the main group more often. Draftee Sam Docherty has just had hip surgery but is not expected to miss too much time.
Summer superstar
With most players getting through every session, there's a few to pick from. Recently elevated rookie Mitch Golby has killed it in the weights room and is noticeably bigger, Irishman Pearce Hanley has come back fitter than ever after his off-season International Rules duty, and captain Jonathan Brown is as fit as he's ever been after starting his first pre-season in more than a decade.
Draftee watch
All four draftees were in their own group for the first week or two, trying to play catch-up in the fitness stakes. It didn't take long for Elliot Yeo and Patrick Wearden to start slotting in with the main group and Billy Longer to start rucking with Matthew Leuenberger and Ben Hudson. The most ready-made of the quartet - Docherty - has had an injury hiccup but is expected to be back well in time for the season's start.
Putting the feet up
The players started their Christmas break on December 21 and return on January 5. They each have programs to keep them in shape over the festive period. Look for more game-focused training early in the New Year.
Membership
Despite starting its membership drive two weeks later than usual, the Lions are almost at the 10,000 mark, which is on par with the same time last year. They have asked fans to 'Answer To The Call' with a half human face/half lion face promotional logo and have vastly simplified the renewal process with a membership website. Prices for every seat have also been frozen or reduced.
NAB Cup schedule
Round one (Saturday, February 25): v Gold Coast and Melbourne, Metricon Stadium.
Round two (Saturday, March 3): v Adelaide, Alice Springs.
Round three (Saturday, March 10): v Carlton, venue TBC.
What they say
"Their commitment in the off-season to turn up in decent shape has been a hell of a lot better, so that shows where the group's mindset is at." - captain Jonathan Brown.
"The boys understand the level we have to train at, they understand how far we were behind the competition and I think the guys weren't happy with where we were sitting last year and want to improve. From 12 months ago it's a thousand times better feeling in the group." - vice-captain Daniel Merrett.
"I didn't realise how far back we're coming from because the difference has been quite interesting. We were too far back last year. We were coming from a long run-up, there's no doubt about that." - coach Michael Voss.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
