The Brisbane Lions have entered a new phase in player development with the introduction of the VFL and although wins have been hard to come by the silver lining is the opportunities the new competition provides to prepare footballers for AFL action.

For any AFL club with a side in the national second-tier competition, the strength of the reserves is always dictated by the fortunes of the senior side.

Brisbane’s seniors are flying on the field but have not quite enjoyed the incredible run with player availability that characterised last year’s charge to a top two finish at the end of the home and away season.

Cam Rayner (season), Lachie Neale, Darcy Gardiner, Jack Payne, Jarrod Berry and Ryan Lester have all missed multiple games for the Club.

That has provided senior opportunities for the likes of Deven Robertson, Rhys Mathieson, Jaxon Prior, Jimmy Madden, Tom Fullarton and Keidean Coleman and all have been able to play a role, thanks to the grounding they have received from VFL coach Mitch Hahn.

The result is the younger AFL listed players who would be the mainstays of the VFL side are absent and the Club has rolled out very young and inexperienced players most weeks as they have fought and scrapped to three wins and five losses.

Hahn spoke to The Roar Deal podcast this week to discuss Brisbane’s development through the VFL.

“Compared to our 2019 NEAFL team that went through the season undefeated, we’re a really young team now, said Hahn.

“We’re a different look team.”

But, when you give a group of young and emerging players the chance to taste tough footy against quality opponents such as former NEAFL premiers Southport, it can only mean good things for our group of young Lions who will be staring down AFL level in the next few years.

What you need to know about our key players

Senior player Jarrod Berry recently made a brief appearance in the reserves side as he returned to footy after a length stint of injury rehab.

The midfielder remains on reduced minutes as he looks to increase game fitness before returning to the senior side.

“It’s great to have him back out there… he worked into the game really well and had some good running patterns and got involved in our contested footy,” Hahn said.

After a standout first game back playing in the VFL, Jack Payne was pushed straight to the senior side.

“For Jack, it was great for him to be able to come in and perform his role, and we’re confident that he’s going to be able to do that,” he said.

AFL journalist Michael Whiting said “there’s probably not been too many players at the Club who’ve had more interest in them than Nakia Cockatoo since he came over in the trade period last year.”

Cockatoo has endured more injury setbacks than most but will use this year to build his body back up and find consistency in his play.

Hahn said he wants to build Cockatoo’s confidence in himself and revealed AFL leadership team member Linc McCarthy has been working closely with Nakia and sharing his own journey back to full fitness with his former Geelong teammate.

“It’s always hard when you get long stints in rehab to be connected to the group, so I’ve been having conversations with him about staying connected with the group, especially coming into a new club,” said Hahn.

“We know his best is good enough to play AFL footy so we’re working really hard to get him back out there.’’

Remember the name(s)

Of the Academy youngsters, Hahn said Bruce Reville, Tahj Abberley and Toby Triffett have all shown great promise for the Lions.

“I think all those guys have definitely contributed and developed from the start of the year,” said Hahn.

“Coming into our program and getting to train with the likes of Lachie Neale and Dan Rich once a week has certainly helped them, and they’re loving the environment.”

The old helping the new

 Hahn said there’s a strong group of 14 senior players who have been helping the reserves side along the way.

Hahn said a standout for him has been Oscar McInerney, who’s come on board to help new Western Australian recruit Kalin Lane in the ruck position.

“It’s really exciting for Oscar to take that responsibility as well, because he can do it in a one-on-one situation rather than in front of a whole group,” he said.