THE LIONS can be well satisfied with 10 wins, which is more than most pundits had them winning before the season started. The victories over West Coast (round 10) and Adelaide (round 21) showed their best could mix it with the top teams. But all too often the Lions were blown away by top-class teams. The multiple eight-goal hidings show they still have a rung or two to climb before calling themselves finals contenders.
2. Simon Black is still the Lions' best midfielder
He's 33, is closing in on the club record for games played, and missed a handful of matches with a knee problem this year, but Black is still the class in the Lions' midfield. While Rich, Redden, Rockliff, Zorko and Beams all developed, the 2002 Brownlow medallist still attracted the taggers and still produced the quality when needed.
3. Dayne Zorko is more than a magician - he's a fine footballer
Following four seasons of domination at AFLQ level, Zorko grabbed his chance in the big time with both hands. Small in stature, the 23-year-old showed a combination of poise, tenacity and skill to average 20 disposals and a super-impressive six tackles per game. He was also good for 16 goals in his 16 appearances. The boy from Broadbeach is now known for far more than his unusual surname.
4. Mark Harvey still has plenty to offer footy
After being spectacularly booted as Fremantle's head coach at the end of last season, Harvey packed his bags and made the longest trip in the country to be a Lions assistant. He fitted in beautifully, has been a big hit with the young players and helped the Lions develop a multi-faceted forward line. Despite finishing 13th on the ladder, they were seventh for converting inside 50s to goals.
5. Daniel Merrett is better at full-back than full-forward
When Jonathan Brown fractured his face late in the Lions' pre-season, Michael Voss plumped for Merrett to fill his boots. Even when Brown returned in round three, Merrett stayed forward and was used as a back-up ruckman. 'Rog' did a terrific job in his makeshift role, kicking 26 goals in 17 games, but when moved to the defensive end for the final five weeks, looked right at home. A fully fit defensive trio of Merrett, Matt Maguire and the under-rated Joel Patfull has a good ring to it.
6. Jack Redden is the most under-rated of the Lions' Three Rs
While Daniel Rich won the 2009 NAB Rising Star award and Tom Rockliff the 2011 Lions B&F, the quietest of the Three Rs continued to develop as a footballer this year. Redden, the 21-year-old from South Australia, was patchy early but his back half of the season was sublime. He found plenty of the ball (a team-high 25 disposals and five clearances per game), was a relentless tackler (second in the competition) and is now one of the Lions' best ball users going forward. Another season of improvement will see him move in the elite bracket.
7. The tall forwards are taking longer to develop than Michael Voss hoped
Voss tried Aaron Cornelius (eight games), Pat Karnezis (seven) and Jordan Lisle (five) as sidekicks to Jonathan Brown, but all struggled for continuity. The fact he oped for Merrett for almost the entire season showed a lack of confidence in the young talls and just why the Lions are so desperate to get out-of-contract Adelaide powerhouse Kurt Tippett. Each of the young Lions can compete, but at the age of 22 and under, are still a season or two off being consistent.
8. Thank goodness for Huddo
There were a few raised eyebrows when the Lions delisted two young ruckmen and signed retired Western Bulldog Ben Hudson at the end of last season. But what a masterstroke it turned out to be. Matthew Leuenberger lasted three games before his Achilles went and impressive rookie Billy Longer was always going to be slightly out of his depth in year one. So the People's Beard stepped up to take on the sole responsibility in 18 games. Hudson, 33, was a beast in the middle all year, and proved there's plenty of value in signing a veteran.
9. Generation Next is closing the gap
Perhaps the area in which the Lions improved most in 2012 was in the lower half of their list. No longer is the gap between the top six and bottom six so vast. Ryan Harwood made a fine fist of half-back, Josh Green turned himself into an electric small forward and Rohan Bewick a consistent goal-kicking winger/half-forward. Ryan Lester, Mitch Golby and Claye Beams also showed they are now comfortable at senior level.
10. Tom Rockliff is one of the smartest forwards at the club
Rockliff has forged his early reputation in the AFL as a workaholic midfielder, but has now showed he is a skilful and clever forward. He was a prolific goalkicking junior and displayed that nous on numerous occasions this season. Rockliff kicked multiple goals in six matches, including a late match-winner against Gold Coast in round 17 after taking a contested mark in the goalsquare, and the match-sealer against Adelaide in round 21. He is smart, plays above his height and is a difficult match-up for any defender.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
