After reviewing our Season 7 Campaign, AFL Women's dives deep into what worked, what didn't and what's to come in 2023.

What Worked

Forward pressure was the backbone of Brisbane's game this season, averaging a record 16.5 tackles inside 50 per game and registering double-digit forward tackles in every game.

That forward pressure allowed Brisbane to be highly efficient inside 50, registering both the highest scoring efficiency (48.7%) and goal efficiency (20.1%) of the season. Essentially, this means that the Lions were the most dangerous side in the competition once the ball was in their forward 50 arc.

Because of the trust they as a team have developed, the Lions' defensive line had a license to play quite high up the ground in an effort to make the ground really small and increase pressure on opposing defences. In doing so, they were able to maintain exceptional territory control and became the first AFLW side to kick more than 200 points across the opening three rounds of a season.

What needs improvement

The only time Brisbane was really caught out this season was when they were under enough pressure to prevent them from neatly moving the ball outside the contest. That pressure around the ball was able to break down the Lions' system through the middle of the ground, and by shutting that down, their attacking ball movement was limited or far less efficient.

Losses to Richmond in round five and Melbourne in the Grand Final were examples of this one chink in Brisbane's armour. So reliant on their outside runners, if opponents could shot down the connection to those wingers, the Lions struggled to get the game on their terms and, in turn, score.

Off season focus

The Lions have all the pieces at their disposal to continue to succeed, from here it once again just comes down to retaining those players to keep developing as a unit. Their list profile is still incredibly young yet experienced, which is the ideal balance for long-term success.