Speaking after the Lions fell 18 points short of Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night, Leuenberger was optimistic the return of Jonathan Brown and Daniel Merrett from injury to support the emerging youngsters could spark a rebirth.
"Continual development of the young players with those guys coming back fit and healthy … I'd like to think we can take a big step forward next year," he told lions.com.au.
"I think we have a promising young group. We have a real quality bunch of guys with good personality and work ethic. I think that is what you need to guide the group forward.
"I would like to think next year we could do something like what West Coast has done."
The Lions outscored the reigning premiers in the first and last quarter, with a stunning seven goals to two fourth term slashing the final margin to just three goals after Collingwood stretched the margin to 48 points.
"I think Collingwood certainly have the potential within them, and we certainly have seen it this year, where they can put the foot down and blow a side away," he said.
"Although we didn't win, which was disappointing, you could say it wasn't a bad effort to remain competitive."
Leuenberger said the Lions had to ensure a four-quarter performance and not accept honourable losses.
"I think the second and third quarter we struggled to get it past their defence; it seemed like we were stuck and and whenever we had it we couldn't retain possession," he said.
"It feels like we have had them [honourable losses] a lot this year and we are over them, to be honest. Our next step forward is to win those sort of games when we are in them against the top sides."
Leuenberger again was impressive against experienced ruckman Darren Jolly, finishing the match with 24 possessions to add to his 33 hit-outs, while restricting his more senior opponent to just seven possessions and 25 hit-outs.
On the back of yet another outstanding performance, Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss believes the 23-year-old is in All Australian form.
"He's playing very well. He played against a quality ruckman tonight and did well. We probably didn't get the benefits at ground level but as a midfielder, if you know your ruckman is going to win it, it's rather exciting," Voss said.
Voss and Lions fans can look forward to seeing more excitement from the 204cm ruckman after he re-signed for a further two years last month. "
There were offers there, but it didn't take me long to squash them," Leuenberger said.
"I really like here and in the end it was a really easy decision to make."
