The Brisbane Lions will head into the 2016 season with the youngest and least experienced list in the AFL competition with an average age of just 22 years and 42 games experience per player.
Even though many conclusions have been drawn between a club’s average age/games and their likelihood of winning a Premiership, there are also instances that disprove such theories.
West Coast made it to the Grand Final last season ranked 11th for age and 10th for most games played proving age and experience is no barrier to success.
The latest figures, published by Rohan Connolly in today’s Age Newspaper, indicate a significant shift at the Club since the beginning of 2011 when the Lions boasted the sixth oldest list.
Since 2011 the Lions have lost significant age and playing experience with the retirements or departures of Simon Black (322), Luke Power (282), Jonathan Brown (256), Ash McGrath (214), Jed Adcock (206), Joel Patfull (182), Matt Maguire (170) and Brent Staker (160) amongst others.
The Club has replaced them with high quality youth that may not look ready right now, but will give the Club a real tilt at grabbing its next Flag.
The off-season signings of Tom Bell (51 games), Ryan Bastinac (107), Josh Walker (33 games) along with draftees Josh Schache, Eric Hipwood, Ben Keays, Rhys Mathieson, Sam Skinner and Rueben William complement the Lions’ talented and developing list.
Our future is bright, it is young and exciting.
Find below a list of average ages and games’ experience across the AFL competition.
