Livewire Brisbane Lions forward Josh Green is expecting greater responsibility next year fresh from a breakout season that saw him top the Club’s goal-kicking in 2014.

Green became just the fifth player in 15 years to lead the Lions’ scoring, courtesy of a career-best return of 33 goals from 20 senior games.

He finished 12 goals clear of regular spearhead Jonathan Brown, who was forced into retirement midway through the season, while fellow ‘Mozzie Squad’ member Dayne Zorko ranked third with 18 goals.

With key forward prospects Michael Close and Jonathan Freeman still in the early stages of their development, Green understands that his role will be critical to helping the Lions kick a winning score.

“We have a pretty young forward group so I need to step-up and show a bit of leadership and take a bit more control,” Green told The Courier Mail.

“The club has recruited a few goalkicking midfielders and the young tall forwards will only get better and better so we will look to share the load.

“It was my most consistent year last year and I felt like I was able to contribute most weeks.

“I don’t want to rest on my laurels though. I need to improve on that level and hopefully help the team push up the ladder as well.

“We had something like the second lowest number of inside 50 entries last season but we’ve got great depth in the midfield next season so we should be able to get more supply in there and kick a few more goals.”