The Brisbane Lions will head into their first match of the 2015 Toyota AFL Premiership Season against Collingwood next week on Saturday the 4^th of April at the Gabba.

The NAB Challenge hitouts gave Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch one final opportunity to watch his team perform against quality opposition, and should help solidify in the minds of the coaching staff who will line-up next week.

It is also the time of the year for supporters and AFL Fantasy aficionados to hypothesize their own ideal Lions line-up.

This will be my second year where I produce my three part series of determining who the Lions will select as the starting 22 for Round One. The task of this article will be reviewing the defenders on the Lions’ list with the aim to pick my starting back six.

The defenders on the Lions’ list that I considered were; Jed Adcock, Harris Andrews (Rookie), Hugh Beasley (Rookie), Jordon Bourke (Rookie), Justin Clarke, Tom Cutler, Darcy Gardiner, Mitch Golby, Cian Hanley (Rookie), Ryan Harwood, Matt Maguire, Josh McGuiness, Daniel Merrett, and Josh Watts.

I added Ryan Lester to that list due to the fact that he’s spent most of his time training with the defenders over the summer and the fact that Leppitsch is keen to see whether the Lions have a ready made replacement for Joel Patfull.

Starting with the key positions of full-back and centre half-back, I expect that Daniel Merrett and Justin Clarke will be first in line for these roles.

Merrett is one of the Lions’ most experienced defenders and will take the opposition’s premier key forward on a weekly basis. He spent time at both ends of the ground last year in a “swingman” style role but Leppitsch has flagged a full time return to the backline for Merrett in 2015, which the 30-year-old has openly stated he is very happy about. It is where he is most comfortable and where he is most valuable to the Lions.

Clarke had a breakout season in 2013 and continued on with that form having a very impressive year in 2014. He has staked his claim as a key in the Lions’ defence after originally being elevated from the rookie list. He is a big bodied, dour defensive player and last season finished third in the AFL for one-percenters (and seventh in the Club Champion award), which is a great reflection of his commitment to the Lions’ cause.

The next positions to consider are the half-back flanks, and I expect to see Jed Adcock and second year Lion Tom Cutler line up in those spots.

Adcock has been relieved of the Captaincy this year after leading the Club on his own during season 2014. He again played every game last year and averaged 19 disposals playing predominantly across halfback and also through the middle of the ground. I expect to see Adcock play a similar role again in 2015 and continue to provide his leadership and attack from the backline.

Cutler had an injury interrupted 2014 only managing seven games in his debut season. He now has his body right and is the ideal size to play on both tall and short forwards, and also adds another option in the Lions midfield with a booming right foot. I think Leppitsch will use Cutler on the half-back flank to teach him what is required at AFL level from a defensive aspect and will love the option to throw him into the middle to give some of the stars of the Lions a rest. He is one of the young Lions of the future will be given the opportunity to stake his claim early in the season.

Obviously Daniel Rich is another who is likely to spend time across half-back given his terrific form so far in the NAB Challenge, but (spoiler alert) I have slotted Rich on the wing, which will be detailed in the next article.

Finally this leaves the back pockets, I’m thinking those roles will be given to Darcy Gardiner and Ryan Lester.

Gardiner had a standout debut season in 2014, playing 17 games and cementing his spot to lock down on the opposition’s third tall option. He also snuck forward to kick two goals. He loves the physical aspect of the game, is a safe ball user and the Lions would be thrilled with the level of development Gardiner showed in his very first season at the Club. He is competitive, loves to win the contest against his opponent and looks to be one the bargain picks from the 2013 NAB AFL Draft.

Leppitsch has earmarked Lester for a defensive move this season and he, like Cutler, will be expected to play on both tall and small forwards using his combative instincts while providing drive from the defensive line. It is an excellent opportunity for Lester to cement himself into the starting line up and get continuity at the senior level.

Accordingly, I see the Lions’ starting back six to look something like this:

B                     Gardiner                     Merrett                       Lester

HB                   Cutler                         Clarke                         Adcock

C                         ?                                   ?                                   ?

HF                       ?                                   ?                                   ?

F                         ?                                   ?                                   ?

Foll                      ?                                   ?                                   ?

Int                       ?                                   ?                                   ?

Sub                      ?

The Lions look to have the key defensive positions covered with Merrett and Clarke, with Gardiner providing the third tall option, and they will be supported by three counter-attacking backmen. There is plenty of youth for the future in that back six as the Lions continue their climb back up the ladder.

The platform provided by the backline, and led by Adcock, is something that should fill Lions fans and members with great confidence. Adcock and Merrett will provide the experience and poise, while Leppitsch and the coaching staff will be delighted at the strong representation of youth in the back six.

While the start of the 2014 season had many commentators and experts predicting a dire short term future for the Lions regarding a lack of depth, the past two drafts and trade periods have done plenty to rectify this situation. There is also a group of defenders waiting on the wings should injury or a lack of form strike the first choice defenders.

Matt Maguire is the first defender that comes to mind, who can comfortably come into the side and play his role should injury become an issue for the Lions. He had a solid 13 game campaign in 2014 and provides quality depth should there be any injury issues in the Lions backline in 2015.

Mitch Golby is a talented half-back who had a tough 2014 campaign through a combination of injury and form. He will be looking for a much-improved 2015 while trying to win a starting position in the Lions best 22 playing either in defence or through the midfield.

Harris Andrews is a graduate of the Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy with a great mix of height, athleticism and versatility. When representing Queensland at Under 18 level he played predominately down back and in the ruck but can also be used down forward due to his strong marking ability. Leppitsch will be very happy with the versatility that Andrews will offer in the years to come.

Ryan Harwood is the hard luck story of the Lions’ defence after suffering abdominal and groin issues this pre-season and had surgery in mid-February to address those issues. The recovery timeframe was originally put as anything between 8-12 weeks, which unfortunately puts him behind the eight ball for spots in the starting 22 for the Lions. Had he been fit, Harwood would have slotted into the back six, but instead opens the door for one of his teammates to claim the position. We should see Harwood back to full fitness during the season and he will add another layer of depth to the Lions defence.  

Josh McGuinness and Josh Watts, both recruited from Tasmania in last years NAB AFL Draft, are longer-term defensive prospects who will need to add some bulk to the their frames and will spend 2015 honing their skills in the Lions NEAFL team. McGuinness is a medium sized defender with clean skills by both hand and foot and won All-Australian honours in last year’s NAB Under-18 Championships for his efforts. Watts is a key position prospect with great endurance who loves to fly for the ball and run off his opponent to cause damage further up the field.

Rookies Hugh Beasley and Jordan Bourke are great prospects, but they can expect to spend the bulk of their time playing with the Lions’ NEAFL team this year to gain experience and fitness.

Bourke is the most experienced of the Rookies. He is highly regarded at the Club and managed a maiden senior appearance last year against Geelong in Round 23. He has tough competition for a spot in the Lions back six and will need to get some solid form behind him in the NEAFL should an opportunity arise for senior selection.

Cian Hanley is unfortunately out for the season with a knee injury and will spend his time in the rehab group to regain full fitness for the 2016 pre-season.

Well, that’s my wrap of the Lions’ defenders and prediction of who will form the starting back six for the season opener.

The next part of this three-part series will be focusing on the Lions midfielders and will be published on lions.com.au soon.