Having had their season cancelled last season due to COVID restrictions, the Brisbane Lions showed plenty of promise. 

After a 2-2 start, the Lions went on to win 12 of their next 14 games in an impressive string of form that saw them finish second on the Smithy’s VFL Ladder and make a Preliminary Finals berth.  

And while the dream of a VFL premiership was cut a week short, the season was still a tremendous success according to Head Coach, Mitch Hahn.  

“We feel like it’s been a very successful season. We feel like all our players improved and were able to learn and play different roles across the year and build a winning culture” he said. 

“It was great to get the opportunity to play in some bigger games in Melbourne and to play Finals. It was also pleasing that when players were called upon to player AFL footy that they played their role and contributed well.”   

12 of Hahn’s men who were named in the VFL between Rounds 1-3 were called upon for senior duties throughout the season, with the likes of Rhys Mathieson, Dev Robertson and Jaxon Prior regularly featuring in Senior Coach Chris Fagan’s 22.   

Brisbane featured in five Friday games, a just reward for their impressive form and the young Lions found a new fortress in their home ground at Burpengary.  

“We had an interesting start to the year with a road trip to Ikon Park to take on Carlton,” Mitch Hahn said.  

“They’ve been a solid team in the VFL for a long time and while we couldn’t get the job done there, we got to come home to Burpengary to play North and performed strongly. 

“We turned our focus toward making our home ground a tough place to play footy and we played some really strong football out there this year.” 

Arguably, the Lions strongest performance came in Round 22, when they faced an undefeated Casey Demons outfit at Moreton Bay Sports Complex.  

In a see-sawing contest, scores were level at half time before Brisbane gritted their teeth and lifted a gear, running out 14-point victors and handing the eventual Premiers their only loss of the season.  

“It was important that we put in a good performance in that game,” Hahn said. 

“Our seniors had come off a big loss to Melbourne the night before and everyone was feeling a bit down after that game.  

“It was great to be able to lift the energy for the whole club by beating the best team up until that point.”  

Blessed with minimal injuries, the Lions VFL side was bolstered week-to-week with a strong contingent of AFL-listed players. 

Rhys Mathieson played just 13 VFL games in 2022 but racked up numbers scary enough to earn himself a spot in the VFL Team of the Year. 

Mathieson averaged 32.8 disposals, nine clearances and kicked 18 majors before being rewarded with a spot in the senior side.  

If those stats weren’t enough, the ‘Beast’ put in a record performance in Round 11, amassing 49 disposals, 19 clearances, nine marks, nine i50s and a goal to rack up a quiet 167 fantasy points.  

He was joined in the engine room by Dev Robertson, who continued to showcase his physicality around the contest in another strong season.   

Robertson played a crucial role in the Lions Round 22 win over Casey, collecting three goals, 30 disposals, five marks, six tackles and five clearances before following Mathieson in receiving a call-up to the AFL side for Finals.

Ryan Lester led by example through the season and was in the ‘best on’ votes most weeks, while Thomas Berry was like a dog with a bone, providing plenty of grunt through the midfield before injury ruled out his season.  

Brisbane fans should be excited about the young talent coming through the ranks, with Kai Lohmann, Jimmy Tunstill, Henry Smith and Carter Michael all showing impressive glimpses of their talent through the year.  

A major point of difference that evidently improved the Lions competitiveness in 2022 was the inclusion of mature VFL-listed players.  

Brisbane put a focus on providing opportunity for Queensland talent to continue their journey in football and saw impressive return.  

The Lions recruited Queensland product and former Cat/Power utility, Wylie Buzza who provided plenty of leadership for the young side while playing crucial roles across the ground.   

Riley Greene was given a consistent role late in the season and was a revelation in the backline with his ability play tall or small.

Sherwood recruit, Will Fletcher showed plenty of poise with ball in hand across the midfield and worked well with his senior teammates in Robertson, Mathieson and Ely Smith.

Some familiar faces also continued to improve, with the likes of Tahj Abberley, Toby Triffett, Charlie Bowes, Harry Arnold and Wilson Barry all playing important roles throughout the season.  

With 2023 in mind, Lions fans got glimpses of the future with Father-Son prospects Will Ashcroft and Darryl McDowell-White both debuting for the side and showing plenty of potential in their performances.