It was a busy year for the star-studded Brisbane Lions midfield in 2022.
Lachie Neale’s career-year inspired the Lions engine room in big moments, Hugh McCluggage asserted himself alongside the A-grade midfielders of the competition while Jarrod Berry showed his versatility in being able to lock down some the game’s best.
At the start of pre-season, Lachie Neale spoke to media about his work in getting his body right after an injury interrupted 2021 campaign, even going as far to say as he was in the best shape of his career.
While it seemed ambitious in the early stages of the pre-season, Neale wasn’t wrong. Averaging 30 disposals and ranking first in the competition for total centre clearances, the 29-year-old put the team on his back in the season’s biggest moments.
Lions’ fans will fondly remember the Elimination Final against Richmond, with Joe Daniher becoming the hero in the dying minutes of the game, kicking a miraculous goal to put his side in front.
Collecting 39 disposals at a whopping 95% game time and laying a game saving tackle, Neale’s performance was inspired and lifted his teammates around him.
Hugh McCluggage was one such teammate who benefitted greatly, averaging career-high disposals, marks and tackles as he became one of the competitions elite.
Headlined by a four goal, 29 disposal display in the nation’s capital against GWS, the 24-year-old quickly became one of the Lions most reliable performers.
With the addition of Josh Dunkley in the off-season and number one draft prospect Will Ashcroft officially committing to the Club earlier in the season through Father-Son, 2023 is shaping up to be one of the Lions most exciting.
2023 is a Big Year for...
After being in and out of the side for the first half of the season, Deven Robertson capitalised on his opportunities when handed them.
Having been a consistent performer in the VFL, the 21-year-old forced his way into Chris Fagan’s side in Round 11 and hit the ground running, finishing with 17 disposals and two goals.
An unlucky omission following Brisbane’s loss to Melbourne in Round 15, Robertson returned to the VFL and again, found plenty of the football and impressing fans and coaches alike with his physicality in the contest and ruthlessness.
Called upon once again for the Lions Finals campaign, the defensive work by the West Australian was critical in the tight contests.
Laying 20 tackles across Brisbane’s three finals, Robertson is well placed to find consistent football in 2023 with a strong pre-season under his belt.
Unsung Hero
Often flying under the radar due to his ability to play across all three lines on the ground, Cal Ah Chee’s season and importance to Brisbane’s side cannot be understated.
Appearing 21 times in the 2022 season, the 25-year-old proved the ultimate swiss-army knife, popping up in the forward line, back line and on the wing at various occasions.
But it was on the wing the swingman looked most comfortable. With Hugh McCluggage moved to an inside midfield role through most of the season, Ah Chee’s strong aerial ability and two-way running capacity provided great versatility for the Lions.
Knocking on the Door
Another West Australian product doing plenty.
The first-year midfielder didn’t take a backwards step since landing in Brisbane, playing across the wing, forward line and inside midfield through the opening half of the VFL season.
Tunstill was awarded a ‘trial by fire’ debut against Melbourne in Round 15 and showed glimpses of an exciting future.
Clean by foot and strong overhead, Tunstill is a powerful runner who can hit the scoreboard, averaging 13.7 disposals in the VFL and kicking 11 goals from 19 games.
Awarded with the 2022 Neville Fallon Reserves Best & Fairest alongside veteran, Ryan Lester, Tunstill has a bright future and will be knocking on the door after another pre-season.
