For the first time in Darcy Gardiner’s six-year career at the Brisbane Lions he remained injury-free and was able to play all 22 games as well as the Club’s two AFL Finals Series matches.

2019 was arguably Gardiner’s best, with the speedy defender regularly limiting some of the league’s best forwards to just one goal or no goals a game.

His height, 193cm, and speed allow him to move across defending both small and tall forwards.

On a personal note, his 2019 year started positively when he was elevated to the eight-man leadership group. In Round 19 against the Hawks he played his 100^th AFL career match.

He finished eighth in the count for the Merrett-Murray Medal as the Lions Club Champion. 

Marcus Adams had a frustrating start in his first year as a Lion. Despite enjoying a mostly injury-free pre-season, Adams suffered a knee injury that would wreak havoc for the first half of his year and would eventually require surgery.

He played his first game in Lions colours in the NEAFL’s Round 12 win over Sydney University at Blacktown Oval.

His first senior opportunity came two weeks later in the Lions Round 16 clash against GWS GIANTS where he was positioned in the forward line.

The next week in Round 18’s match against Port Adelaide at The Gabba, he was moved to the defensive line and looked more at home.

Adams would go on to play the remainder of the year for the Lions in the defensive line. His strongest performance came in the Lions Round 22 memorable win over Geelong at The Gabba. That afternoon Adams was a rock in defence; with 19 disposals and 10 marks.