LONG-SUFFERING Brisbane fans expect the pain to ease in 2018.
The Lions have finished no higher than 17th in the last three seasons, and last year collected the side's second wooden spoon since the 1996 merger with Fitzroy.
Giving their take on their side's 2018 prospects in AFL.com.au's pre-season fan survey, 25 per cent of Lions fans tipped their team to improve to 12th spot this year.
Fans have high hopes that Hawk champ Luke Hodge can inject steel into Chris Fagan's young side. Speedster Charlie Cameron is also expected to improve the Lions.
Meanwhile up forward, hopes are pinned on Eric Hipwood, the towering 20-year-old who looks like Rafael Nadal and plays like Lance Franklin.
Here are the pre-season survey results, plus a selection of Lions' fans responses.
What's the Lions' weakest spot on the park?
Midfield grunt. The Lions need to find contested ball winners in the middle who can get the ball to Zorko, Beams and McCluggage.
- Jack Adams, Brisbane Qld
Their defensive line. They leak the most amount of points in the competition, due to lack of experience. Hodge will help this.
- Dale Garratt, Brisbane Qld
It'll be a great year if ...
... we play four quarters of aggressive football every week.
- Leanne Peters, Brisbane Qld
... Eric Hipwood kicks 50+ goals. If that happens, you'd expect everything else to be going okay too.
- Boyd Liggitt, Brisbane Qld
The new forward structure works and Eric Hipwood continues his development into one of the greatest players in the modern game.
- Stephen Guerin, Rockhampton, Qld
What's your dream headline in 2018?
'Lions get their roar back'
- Jeremy Wise, Dalby Qld
'Lions channel the '93 Baby Bombers to sneak into finals'
- Phil Carydis, Fairfield Qld
What's the headline you secretly dread?
'Spoons the only cutlery in Chris Fagan's draw'
- Jack McKenna, East Brunswick Vic
'Rayner reneges on contract and requests trade home'
- Alex Payne, Alderley Qld
'Josh Schache a chance for the Coleman'
- Vincent Diez, South Yarra Vic
Read more
• Fans' season preview: backline the worry for Çrows
• Liked the look of: Eight eyecatchers from JLT week one
• Burning questions for the JLT Community Series
