While it was a disappointing season for the Lions, with only four wins and a spate of injuries, players on the Club's young list impressed in their development and a number of the older hands showed great leadership, consistency and commitment to the team.
Today lions.com.au looks at guernsey numbers 46-48 in the final part of its series of player reviews.
#46 Billy Evans
Billy Evans was the fifth and final debutant for the Lions in 2015, earning his spot in the Lions' side in Round 19 against the Gold Coast Suns. Evans played five games to finish out the season - including each of the Lions’ last two wins. One of Evans' better games was Round 22 against Hawthorn, where he had seven tackles and 13 possessions. With another pre-season under his belt, Evans will be looking to further his senior game time in 2016.
#47 Zac O’Brien
Zac O'Brien completed a second season in the AFL system this year. He was awarded for his effort at the Lions’ Club Champion Awards in September when he polled the highest number of votes for a Reserves player, eventually winning the Lions’ Reserves’ Best and Fairest Award for 2015. It was a terrific effort from the midfielder, who not only missed seven games due to senior AFL commitments, but was also part of a Lions side that won their last two home games for the season (a total of four wins in 2015). O’Brien was able to move past an incident with coach Justin Leppitsch early in the season and prove his worth at NEAFL and AFL level.
#48 Hugh Beasley
In his first season at the Club, mature-age rookie Hugh Beasley made a big impression. Carrying a big frame (developed through a period in the VFL), Beasley was able to slot comfortably into the Lions' backline during the season. Making his debut in Round 10 against GWS, Beasley went on to play six matches. Two of his better showings came against the Crows in Round 13 and against Fremantle in Round 14, where Beasley held his own against some of the league’s best forwards.