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 guernseys 32-36 in the seventh part of its series of player reviews.

#32 Sam Mayes

Sam Mayes spent time playing off half back and on the wing in the Lions’ line-up in 2015, a season in which he notched up his 50th game for the Club. Despite a stress reaction in his foot causing Mayes to be sidelined early in the season, and patches of inconsistency in form forcing him back to the NEAFL. Mayes’ best game came in Round 20 against Carlton, where he gathered 20 disposals and kicked two goals and again in Round 17 against North Melbourne, where he recorded 21 possessions and four tackles.

#33 Michael Close

Michael Close’s third season was cut short in Round Two when he injured his ACL in the Lions’ loss to the Kangaroos. Close’s absence in Brisbane’s forward line exposed the Club’s vulnerabilities, as the Lions were without another key forward option to make an impact on the scoreboard. The Ballarat product underwent knee surgery in mid-April and has made steady progress since – having his running load increased prior to the end of season break.

#34 Jonathan Freeman

Another Lion injured for the majority of 2015, Jonathan Freeman made a significant impression when he finally returned to the senior side in Round 18 against Geelong. Kicking seven goals in 6 matches (including a three goal haul against Carlton), the Lions Academy product should combine with Close and McStay in 2016 to bolster the team’s forward line.

#35 Ryan Lester

Ryan Lester played nine senior games in 2015. At 190cm tall and 85kg, he is able to play varying roles across the field. In a surprise showing, he booted four goals in Round 9 against St Kilda, providing an answer to the question of who would fill the void left up forward in Daniel McStay’s absence through injury. Spending time in the NEAFL side during the season, Lester was sidelined with a knee injury in Round 15 and wasn’t able to return to the senior team.

#36 Matt Maguire

Matt Maguire announced his retirement in June after playing two senior games in 2015. The 31-year-old had not played since suffering a heavy concussion in a NEAFL game against Ainslie at Coorparoo on April 25. Lions medical staff, in consultation with concussion specialists, were confident Maguire would make a full recovery but the unpredictability of the symptoms meant it was unclear when he would be ready to play again. Maguire remained at the Lions until the end of the season, lending off-field experience to the younger group.