2022 was full of goosebump moments and this year is looking no different.
With eight weeks to go until Round One, we put together a list of eight things to look forward to in 2023.
1. Blockbusters at the Gabba
Brisbane fans are in for a treat as a host of blockbuster games make their way to the Gabba in 2023.
The Lions have three prime time slots in the opening month of competition, headlined by a Friday night showdown against Melbourne, as well as their annual Easter Thursday clash against Collingwood, both at the Gabba.
2. Six Melbourne Games
Having travelled to both Geelong and Ballarat in recent years for Victorian matches, the Lions will now only travel to either the MCG or Marvel for their Melbourne-based games in 2023.
With big games scheduled against the likes of the Western Bulldogs, Carlton, Melbourne and Collingwood, it's a great opportunity for Victorian members to cheer the team on close to home.
We'll never forget the noise in the last quarter inside the MCG as our Victorian fans cheered us on to a historic semi-final win over Melbourne last year.
Go ALL IN for the new era right now! Click HERE to secure your 2023 membership.
3. New Recruits
There have been plenty of fresh faces enter the Den for the first time in 2023.
The arrival of Josh Dunkley and Jack Gunston has kept Lions fans excited for most of the off-season, but to see the two stars of the competition unleashed in Brisbane colours is going to be next level.
Not to mention Irish speedster, Conor McKenna and what he can offer the half-back line. We're just glad we're not selectors.
4. The Draftees
If the success of the trade period wasn't enough, Lions fans should be equally excited about the crop of draftees that have arrived at Brighton Homes Arena.
Three famous names will continue at the Den, with Will Ashcroft (son of Marcus), Jaspa Fletcher (son of Adrian) and Darryl McDowell-White Jnr (son of Darryl) all joining the Club in the off-season along with Brisbane Academy product, Shadeau Brain.
Ashcroft was taken at Pick #2 but was widely touted to be the most talented prospect in the draft and arrives at Brisbane a ready-made player.
Fletcher (Pick #12) is a classy wingman with clean foot skills who can damage opposition teams on both the inside and outside of the contest.
McDowell-White, like his father, has a mercurial ability to make things happen from nothing while Shadeau Brain boasts the best name in the competition along with a crafty goal sense and ferocity for the contest.
5. Season Opener
It's been 123 days since our boys played a game for premiership points and Round One can't come soon enough.
While a dream season opener at the Gabba is off the cards, a familiar foe in Port Adelaide awaits at one of the most hostile grounds in the country and we couldn't be more excited.
6. Milestones
If all goes well, it's going to be another big year of Lions milestones in 2023.
Dayne Zorko needs to play 20 games to reach his impressive 250-game milestone, while Jarryd Lyons needs 19 to reach 200 games.
Eric Hipwood (23 games) and Hugh McCluggage (20 games) are both in arms reach of 150-game milestones, while Cam Rayner (13 games) and Zac Bailey (six games) should both reach 100 games before the bye.
7. The Mids
Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley, Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry, Big O, Jarryd Lyons, Dev Robertson, Rhys Mathieson, Will Ashcroft, Dayne Zorko, Cam Rayner, Zac Bailey... we can go on but do we really need to say anymore?
8. Our New Home
A lot has changed in a year and the Club has a brand new, state of the art facility in Brighton Homes Arena to call home.
Making its public debut at the Season 7 AFLW Grand Final, fans now have access to world-class gym facilities at Total Fusion Lions as well as delicious food and drinks thanks to Wilde Kitchen.
Michael Voss Oval will be the location of all Lions AFLW home games as well as VFL home games and Brisbane training sessions.
If you haven't already, make sure you get down to Springfield and take a look!
