The Brisbane Lions might not have succeeded in qualifying for the AFL Finals, but Assistant Coach Gary O’Donnell believes the Club and its fans can take plenty of positives out of the 2012 Season.

Speaking exclusively with LIONS TV, O’Donnell cited the continued improvement of the Lions’ younger players as one of the most pleasing aspects of the year.

“It’s been a good year for us,” O’Donnell said during the final Vero Coaches’ Wrap episode for 2012.

“Certainly from where we’ve come from, the level of improvement and development we’ve got from our side and some of our younger players has been a really good step in the right direction.”

“We’ve still got a lot of hard work to do - both individually and as a team - to keep improving and keep going on that upward slant.

O’Donnell also reiterated the importance of making life difficult for opposition teams who make the trip to Brisbane to face the Lions.

The Club made some real inroads into reclaiming that home ground advantage in 2012 by winning five of their last seven matches at the Gabba.

“We’ve got to make the Gabba a fortress and make sure we win a large percentage of our games here,” O’Donnell said.

“That will allow us to continue our climb up the ladder.”