2013 LADDER FINISH: 12th
ARRIVALS: James Aish, Isaac Conway, Tom Cutler, Jono Freeman, Darcy Gardiner, Luke McGuane, Daniel McStay, Zac O'Brien, Jackson Paine, Nick Robertson, Archie Smith, Lewis Taylor, Trent West.
DEPARTURES: Todd Banfield, Callum Bartlett, Simon Black, Aaron Cornelius, Sam Docherty, Patrick Karnezis, Billy Longer, Niall McKeever, Jesse O'Brien, Jared Polec, Stephen Wrigley, Elliot Yeo.
BEST 22
MEDICAL ROOM
Claye Beams, foot – 6-7 weeks
PASS MARK FOR 2014: While it would be nice to make the finals, it's not all about wins and losses this year. The Lions need to bridge the gulf between their best and worst football, avoid blowouts and imbed coach Justin Leppitsch's more defence-orientated game-plan. A percentage closer to 100 would be a major step forward.
NEEDS A BIG YEAR: After five years in the system, Jordan Lisle needs to step up. Jonathan Brown won't be around forever, and with the Lions drafting a stack of young talls in the past two years, Lisle needs to grab his chances before they dry up.
FIRST FIVE GAMES: Hawthorn (AS), Geelong (G), Gold Coast (MS), Port Adelaide (AS), Richmond (G)Click here to see the Lions' entire 2014 fixture
PLAY TWICE: Geelong, Gold Coast, Richmond, North Melbourne, Fremantle
TOUGHEST RUN: The first five weeks will be a brutal initiation for new coach Leppitsch. Starting with the premier Hawthorn (in Launceston), followed by Geelong, a derby clash against Gold Coast, a trip to Port Adelaide, and home match to Richmond is a tough beginning. If the Lions put themselves in a position to challenge the top eight, they finish with Collingwood (away), Fremantle and Geelong (away) in the final three weeks.
DREAM SCENARIO: One of Lisle, Michael Close or Jackson Paine emerges from the pack to claim a forward line spot and become a regular goalkicker. Since the departure of Daniel Bradshaw and the bungled Brendan Fevola trade, the Lions have struggled to unearth a big forward to play alongside Brown.
WORST NIGHTMARE: A poor start, including a loss to little brother Gold Coast in round three, and a finish in the bottom four would further distance the Lions from its supporter base. Any hint of homesickness from the raft of new draftees would also not go down too well at the Gabba.
PRESSURE RATING ON THE COACH: 1/10. Justin Leppitsch has a free-hit of sorts for his first year in charge. He has a team in transition, with a lot of new faces, and not too many external expectations.
B: Joel Patfull, Daniel Merrett, Mitch Golby
HB: Ryan Harwood, Justin Clarke, Jed Adcock
C: James Aish, Daniel Rich, Pearce Hanley
HF: Sam Mayes, Luke McGuane, Dayne Zorko
F: Josh Green, Jonathan Brown, Brent Staker
FOLL: Matthew Leuenberger, Brent Moloney, Tom Rockliff
INT: Trent West, Jack Redden, Ryan Lester
SUB: Claye Beams
MEDICAL ROOM
Claye Beams, foot – 6-7 weeks
Stefan Martin, back – 2-3 weeks
Ash McGrath, calf – 3 weeks
Luke McGuane (knee) - TBC
Brent Staker, calf – 6-7 weeks
PASS MARK FOR 2014: While it would be nice to make the finals, it's not all about wins and losses this year. The Lions need to bridge the gulf between their best and worst football, avoid blowouts and imbed coach Justin Leppitsch's more defence-orientated game-plan. A percentage closer to 100 would be a major step forward.
NEEDS A BIG YEAR: After five years in the system, Jordan Lisle needs to step up. Jonathan Brown won't be around forever, and with the Lions drafting a stack of young talls in the past two years, Lisle needs to grab his chances before they dry up.
FIRST FIVE GAMES: Hawthorn (AS), Geelong (G), Gold Coast (MS), Port Adelaide (AS), Richmond (G)
PLAY TWICE: Geelong, Gold Coast, Richmond, North Melbourne, Fremantle
TOUGHEST RUN: The first five weeks will be a brutal initiation for new coach Leppitsch. Starting with the premier Hawthorn (in Launceston), followed by Geelong, a derby clash against Gold Coast, a trip to Port Adelaide, and home match to Richmond is a tough beginning. If the Lions put themselves in a position to challenge the top eight, they finish with Collingwood (away), Fremantle and Geelong (away) in the final three weeks.
DREAM SCENARIO: One of Lisle, Michael Close or Jackson Paine emerges from the pack to claim a forward line spot and become a regular goalkicker. Since the departure of Daniel Bradshaw and the bungled Brendan Fevola trade, the Lions have struggled to unearth a big forward to play alongside Brown.
WORST NIGHTMARE: A poor start, including a loss to little brother Gold Coast in round three, and a finish in the bottom four would further distance the Lions from its supporter base. Any hint of homesickness from the raft of new draftees would also not go down too well at the Gabba.
PRESSURE RATING ON THE COACH: 1/10. Justin Leppitsch has a free-hit of sorts for his first year in charge. He has a team in transition, with a lot of new faces, and not too many external expectations.
