1. Tahj Abberley
Position: Small Utility | Guernsey: #48 | Plays like: Jaxon Prior
Abberley has been a familiar face around the Club for years now. A former Lions Academy product, the classy left footer didn’t miss a beat in 2022, playing every game of the VFL season.
A clean user of the football who can play across half-back, midfield, or float forward, Abberley’s high footy IQ is a valuable asset to the Lions side.
2. Harry Arnold
Position: Key Defender | Guernsey: #60 | Plays Like: Harris Andrews
23-year-old Arnold is a mobile key defender with the ability to intercept mark and leap above packs. The former SUNS Academy player was injured through the back end of the VFL season last year but will return full strength in 2023.
Arnold is a crucial member of the Lions VFL back six and is often tasked with shutting down the opposition’s best forward week-on-week.
3. Wylie Buzza
Position: Tall Utility | Guernsey: #59 | Plays Like: Tom Fullarton
Perhaps the most versatile tall on the VFL list, Buzza has been a handy pick up for the Lions.
With AFL experience, the former Cat/Port player has brought leadership and maturity to a relatively young squad.
At times last year, the 26-year-old was used in the forward line and ruck, but found his best footy in the backline, utilising his big frame and cannon left boot to get the Lions out of tight squeezes.
4. Kyle Dunkley
Position: Midfielder | Guernsey: #52 | Plays Like: Dayne Zorko
The Brisbane Lions have welcomed another Dunkley in 2023, signing former Melbourne midfielder, Kyle Dunkley ahead of the VFL season.
A powerful mid with the ability to explode out of stoppages, Dunkley will provide experience in the Lions midfield and has already shown in match simulation that he can work well with AFL listed mids.
5. Zack Derksen
Position: Forward | Guernsey: #56 | Plays Like: Nakia Cockatoo
Another new addition to the Brisbane reserves side is former Wilston Grange forward, Zack Derksen.
The medium-forward has seamlessly integrated into training and presented well in match simulation, clunking marks against quality opposition. With brother, Wade, signed at GWS and a similar position to Zack, the goal sense runs deep in the Derksen family.
6. Lockie Rayner
Position: Half-Forward/Ruck | Guernsey: #57 | Plays Like: Darcy Fort
The family ties continue in the VFL squad in 2023, with Cam Rayner’s older brother, Lockie, joining the team.
Having spent time with Essendon’s VFL side last year, the 197cm Rayner has made the move north and offers a different skillset to Cam.
The 25-year-old has primarily spent pre-season training as a forward, often marking up on his brother in match simulation. But Rayner’s tall frame gives him the ability to pinch hit in the ruck, offering VFL Coach, Ben Hudson another versatile tall to add to the mix this season.
7. Wilson Barry
Position: Midfield/Utility | Guernsey: #54 | Plays Like: Dev Robertson
Another former Lions Academy product, Barry is as hard as a cat’s head in the contest and can play as an inside midfielder, on the wing or as a small forward.
With a similar playing style to that of Deven Robertson, Barry played 13 games for Brisbane in 2022, headlined by an impressive 16 disposal, two goal display against GWS in Round 17.
8. Riley Greene
Position: Defender | Guernsey: #53 | Plays Like: Brandon Starcevich
Greene was the discovery of the finals series for the Lions.
After limited opportunity and injury kept him to just two appearances until Round 23, Greene was called upon in Round 23’s top of the table clash against Casey and didn’t look back.
Hang time for Riley Greene ✈️ pic.twitter.com/WT7jJ6XQbA
— Brisbane Lions VFL (@lions_vfl) August 27, 2022
Impressing with both his lockdown defensive skills and ability to intercept mark, ‘Greeney’ as he’s affectionately known will be an exciting prospect for Brisbane this season.
He also boasts arguably the best mullet at the Club…
9. Bruce Reville
Position: Midfielder | Guernsey: #49 | Plays Like: Hugh McCluggage
A silky midfielder who can damage from the scoreboard from beyond 50m, Reville is a familiar face for many Lions fans.
The former Brisbane Academy player has been a part of the reserves squad since 2019 and has formed great relationships on with his AFL teammates which reflects in his clean ball use and read of the game.
Similar to Hugh McCluggage in his calmness with football in hand and ability to hit targets consistently, Reville should be a consistent contributor for the Lions in 2023.
10. Jackson Hille
Position: General Defender | Guernsey: #55 | Plays Like: Darcy Gardiner
Hille has been in the VFL system since 2018, making the shift from Sandringham to Brisbane last year to join close friend, Noah Answerth at the Lions.
The 23-year-old is a physical medium defender who throws his body around. Hille can play both tall or small, and while only managing three games for Brisbane in 2022, will be looking to be a consistent member of the side this year.
