BRISBANE Lions coach Justin Leppitsch insists this season can be an exciting one for fans despite the team's lowly standing, watching his talented young charges beginning their AFL journey.

First-year talents James Aish and Lewis Taylor again shone at the Gabba against Essendon, with second-year Lion Marco Paparone's exceptional engine also eye-catching. 

With last year's best rookie Sam Mayes, who had a rare disappointing game, and tigerish first-year midfielder Nick Robertson also in their ranks, they have a talented group of players who Lions fans hope will lead them to a new era of success.

"The (fans) are starting the journey with these boys," Leppitsch said. 

"They can start to watch the journey with these great players. We had a really good draft period this year and the year before. We've got some talent coming through the group. It's an exciting time for our fans.

"The kids have talent. We've still got a few games to go, whether they've got the energy and consistency to keep this effort up for the rest of the end of the year will be tested, I guess. 

"They were very good against St Kilda and dropped away last week. I don't want it to drop away next week when we have the challenge of going to North Melbourne."

The Lions' competitive performance certainly cheered the home contingent of the impressive 26,432 crowd at the Gabba after another week of back room turmoil, though Leppitsch insisted the resignation of CEO Malcolm Holmes had minimal effect on the players.

"The CEO doesn't walk around in the changing room or down the race," Leppitsch said.

"It's very separate - I know people combine it together from the outside.

"The players spend more time with the boot-studder and the strappers than the CEO.

"That's the reality of the way footy clubs work."