Unofficial Preview Best 23 2025 Predictions

[Tom14]

Interesting so many have Coleman walking back into the team so easily... I don't. And for a number of reasons.

His recovering is seemingly taking the longest of the group after a couple of setbacks so I don't see the club rushing him back in any case, but additionally Kiddy needs to work on his game.

This is now a premiership team with a pretty decent balance, and both Zorks and Motty have given us the flair that seemed so lacking when Kiddy looked like the only one who could. Kiddy's defensive game - which did improve - is still his weakness along with fading in and out of games - often due to fitness.

His upsides now are largely covered - although no one has his accuracy - but his downsides need to cleaned up before he pushes someone else out. If he makes it back in it will be a while coming I think.

And he sure as hell isn't a replacement for Answerth - they are chalk and cheese.

Doedee is a more natural backline change for me. As a back up to Payne and Starc (who's future is clouded) - he's someone we need to get settled into the team. McKenna out, Doedee in and lets see who holds their spots by the mid season bye.

 

[3KZ is Football]

My turn then for round zero :

B B. Starcevich J. Payne T. Doedee
HB K. Coleman H. Andrews D. Wilmot
C h. McCluggage W. Ashcroft J. Berry
HF K. Lohmann E. Hipwood C. Rayner
F L. McCarthy S. Day C. Cameron
R O. McInerney J. Dunkley L. Neale
INT D. Gardiner Z. Bailey C. Ah Chee N. Answerth
SUB S. Brain
EM L. Morris J. Flecther D. Zorko

CRAZY TALK! You left Sam Marshall out!

 

[M Malice]

Foxsports.com's go at it this morning >

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/af...s/news-story/b271f67b0c99f960c2e797472dd85e44

B: B.Starcevich, H.Andrews, R.Lester

HB: C.McKenna, J.Payne, D.Zorko

C: J.Fletcher, W.Ashcroft, H.McCluggage

HF: C.Rayner, L.Morris, J.Berry

F: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, Z.Bailey

FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale

I/C: K.Lohmann, C.Ah Chee, N.Answerth, D.Wilmot, L.Ashcroft

EMG: S.Day, D.Fort, B.Reville


The reigning premiers are in terrific shape heading into the new year, despite the continued rehabilitations of Keidean Coleman, Lincoln McCarthy, Darcy Gardiner and Tom Doedee, who each suffered ACL injuries last season and will all likely miss Opening Round at a minimum. Ruckman Oscar McInerney will play provided he has recovered from the shoulder reconstruction that kept him out of the 2024 premiership triumph. Darcy Fort and Sam Day will be in calculations for Chris Fagan as the Lions attempt to fill the void left by retired star Joe Daniher, but the continued development of Logan Morris will also be counted on.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Foxsports.com's go at it this morning >

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/af...s/news-story/b271f67b0c99f960c2e797472dd85e44

B: B.Starcevich, H.Andrews, R.Lester

HB: C.McKenna, J.Payne, D.Zorko

C: J.Fletcher, W.Ashcroft, H.McCluggage

HF: C.Rayner, L.Morris, J.Berry

F: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, Z.Bailey

FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale

I/C: K.Lohmann, C.Ah Chee, N.Answerth, D.Wilmot, L.Ashcroft

EMG: S.Day, D.Fort, B.Reville


The reigning premiers are in terrific shape heading into the new year, despite the continued rehabilitations of Keidean Coleman, Lincoln McCarthy, Darcy Gardiner and Tom Doedee, who each suffered ACL injuries last season and will all likely miss Opening Round at a minimum. Ruckman Oscar McInerney will play provided he has recovered from the shoulder reconstruction that kept him out of the 2024 premiership triumph. Darcy Fort and Sam Day will be in calculations for Chris Fagan as the Lions attempt to fill the void left by retired star Joe Daniher, but the continued development of Logan Morris will also be counted on.

Doesn't feel as well balanced as Fish's with 2 small forwards and 2 small backs on the bench

 

[Perrip]

Foxsports.com's go at it this morning >

For Round 1, Coleman should be available for selection but McInerney is unlikely too.

Also, switching McKenna from that sub role he successfully played in the back half of last year is an odd choice.

 

[KissKiss]

100% that one of those bench spots would be a tall forward. Who to drop is hard but its glaringly obvious that we line up with 3 tall forwards no matter what.

 

[Saucery]

Brisbane Lions best 22 for 2025 AFL season​

FB	Brandon Starcevich	Harris Andrews	Tom Doedee
HB	Dayne Zorko	Jack Payne	Keidean Coleman
C	Jaspa Fletcher	Josh Dunkley	Hugh McCluggage
HF	Zac Bailey	Eric Hipwood	Cam Rayner
FF	Charlie Cameron	Darcy Gardiner	Logan Morris
R	Oscar McInerney	Lachie Neale	Will Ashcroft
Interchange	Jarrod Berry	Darcy Wilmot	Kai Lohmann
Levi Ashcroft
SUB	Callum Ah Chee

MSN

None of these statements represent the view of the poster, I mean Darcy Gardiner at FF instead of Linc.

 

[3KZ is Football]

I’ll have a crack then. This would be my team for the opening round.

B: Starcevich Payne Lester
HB: Zorko Andrews Wilmot
W: McCluggage W.Ashcroft Fletcher
HF: Berry Hipwood Rayner
FF: Cameron Fort Ah Chee
FOL: McInerney, Dunkley Neale
INT: Morris Answerth L. Ashcroft Lohmann
Sub: Gardiner or Coleman

 

[3KZ is Football]

After that, a spot in the team and positions would be determined, as ever, by injuries and form. Given the depth of our list and the form of the group that won the 2024 Premiership, we really need to adopt a philosophy of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Players returning from injury need to work themselves back into full match fitness and they then need to be patient and wait for their opportunity.

One thing is for certain, I’m not a betting man, but if I was, I would have the house on us winning the Reserves Grand Final next year.

 

[M Malice]

I’ll have a crack then. This would be my team for the opening round.

B: Starcevich Payne Lester
HB: Zorko Andrews Wilmot
W: McCluggage W.Ashcroft Fletcher
HF: Berry Hipwood Rayner
FF: Cameron Fort Ah Chee
FOL: McInerney, Dunkley Neale
INT: Morris Wilmot L. Ashcroft Lohmann
Sub: Answerth

You have Wilmot on the Bench and in the starting back 6 3KZ.... Answerth in and new sub?

 

[Saucery]

After that, a spot in the team and positions would be determined, as ever, by injuries and form. Given the depth of our list and the form of the group that won the 2024 Premiership, we really need to adopt a philosophy of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Players returning from injury need to work themselves back into full match fitness and they then need to be patient and wait for their opportunity.

One thing is for certain, I’m not a betting man, but if I was, I would have the house on us winning the Reserves Grand Final next year.

Yes the ain't broke don't fix worked well for lethal and many other coaches since. Lee once said it's fine to be predictable as long as you can beat everyone else doing so. Let' make hay while the sun shines (I don't think that one's Lee's)

 

[Saucery]

You have Wilmot on the Bench and in the starting back 6 3KZ.... Answerth in and new sub?

There's another super secret Wilmot we will be bringing in the MSD rort, his twin (who is about ten times better than Morrie). All very hush hush you know.


Oh

 

[3KZ is Football]

You have Wilmot on the Bench and in the starting back 6 3KZ.... Answerth in and new sub?

Yep ta. Fixed that. I meant to have Coleman as sub and Answerth on bench. I could even be tempted to have Gardiner as sub. Forgot about him.

Edit: In fact - Gardiner as Sub makes stacks of sense.

 

[Lazza16]

Brisbane’s Merrett-Murray Medal Top 10 - 2024​

1st - Lachie Neale (73 votes)
2nd - Dayne Zorko (72)
3rd - Josh Dunkley (71)
4th - Hugh McCluggage (64)
5th - Darcy Wilmot (61)
6th - Ryan Lester (60)
Eq.7th - Harris Andrews (56)
Eq.7th - Jarrod Berry (56)
Eq.7th - Joe Daniher (56)
Eq.10th - Oscar McInerney (54)
Eq.10th - Cam Rayner (54)

On top of a stellar Finals Series, Ryan Lester was 6th in our B&F this year, ahead of some big name Lions players. He is the BACKLINE GENERAL and Lester, Andrews and Payne are the strongest and most versatile defensive unit in the competition. Each is a LOCK for senior selection and will remain so all year.

Welcome back ex Premier Andrews...we missed ur smarts.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Welcome back ex Premier Andrews...we missed ur smarts.

I’m way better looking! I’m in Greece at the minute on the island of Naxos and it is winter. Good news is that despite that, I’ve still managed to pick up a nice tan. It’s stormy today, but it’s been sunny and 18 or 19 most days. I know where I would like to retire to. How are you going Lazza16?

 

[Lazza16]

For Round 1, Coleman should be available for selection but McInerney is unlikely too.

Also, switching McKenna from that sub role he successfully played in the back half of last year is an odd choice.

Eric no certainty to be fit round 0 according to Fages

 

[Lazza16]

I’m way better looking! I’m in Greece at the minute on the island of Naxos and it is winter. Good news is that despite that, I’ve still managed to pick up a nice tan. I know where I would like to retire to. How are you going Lazza16?

On my 19th replay of GF quarters 2 n 3. Quite tanned myself sipping a yummy tonic or 2 on the sun drenched balcony here in beautiful Melbourne town.

 

[3KZ is Football]

On my 19th replay of GF quarters 2 n 3. Quite tanned myself sipping a yummy tonic or 2 on the sun drenched balcony here in beautiful Melbourne town.

I just finished watching the highlights packages for our Finals campaign. A nice way to start the day.

 

[Lazza16]

On my 19th replay of GF quarters 2 n 3. Quite tanned myself sipping a yummy tonic or 2 on the sun drenched balcony here in beautiful Melbourne t

I just finished watching the highlights packages for our Finals campaign. A nice way to start the day.

I hear ya. Off to Derrinalphils establishment on Monday for some work before the end of the Calendar year.

 

[3KZ is Football]

I hear ya. Off to Derrinalphils establishment on Monday for some work before the end of the Calendar year.

See you at the footy this year then. I always bump into Phil, but we need to co-ordinate. Saw him at the Brunswick St Oval on the Sunday after the GF.

 

[twhowler]

Definite outs:
Daniher

Possible outs on decline with age:
Zorko (weird one - just had an AA year, also about to turn 36yo)
Lester (could play every game and be a gun, could also be very satisfied)

Pressure for spot:
Answerth - i think he deserves first crack. To me he just gave our backline that miserly quality it had been missing. I don't think out Answer, In Kiddy works.
McKenna - really liked him in 2023. will he be hungry to get a best 22 spot or turn his mind to the nags?

Walk up start if fit:
Coleman - has to play half back. just not sure how to juggle it. Personally i would play him with zorks. And try Wilmot up the ground. Who does that force out of the wing? Buggered if i know.
Levi - just seems to have too much quality to ignore. And he ain't skinny.

Likely to play if fit and in form:
Doedee - who knows where he is at. We went to get him for a reason. He is not an upgrade on Lester for now in my view as third tall as Lester much better at taking a marking target. But if Payne is fit that might be less relevant

Could force their way in with injury / great form
Brain - he came a long way this year. Has a lot of upside. Terrific on debut
Reville - very unlucky to be injured when he was. Reckon he will have a big pre season

Someone has to play for Joe:
Smith or Day would be my picks, would not hate Fort either. I don't think Gardiner helps as we definitely need some ruck minutes. I think we should definitely get some games in to Smith - even if Day is going well he has not had a reliable body so a rest won't hurt.

On the face of it we should be pretty good - quite a few knocking the door down. The big caveats are 1. the Joe replacement and 2. will we have players drop off more than expectation? It happens a lot. I guess it could be offset by some of the players who haven't won one. And pure professionalism from players such as Andrews and Neale. I hope Fages has a motivational speaker or two lined up. BUT if we have an underwhelming year, i am at peace. What a flag

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Saw nothing this year that showed Lester or Zorko are slowing down any time soon.

 

[Nuggo]

Yeah, I would have Lester ahead of Doedee (I am a fan of Doedee though) at the moment. Will be interesting to see how Doedee attacks the preseason - good one for preseason observers.

If Zorko is fit he plays - just where is the question. Sounds like in the backline. Going to be a tight squeeze down there.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Round 1

Lester - Payne - Starcevich
Zorko - Andrews - Answerth

Berry - Dunkley - McCluggage
Big O - Neale - Ashcroft

Lohmann - Nadal - Rayner
Cameron - Fort - Morris

Bailey - Ah Chee - Willmot - L.Ashcroft/Fletcher

Doubt Kiddy will front up Round 1. His tank will need building. Naturally poor at running out games. Not playing for 12 months wont help that.

Lester - Payne - Starcevich
Zorko - Andrews - Answerth

Berry - Dunkley - McCluggage
Big O - Neale - Ashcroft

Lohmann - Nadal - Rayner
Cameron - Day - Morris

Fletcher - Ah Chee - Wilmot - L.Ashcroft

Sub - Bailey

 

[SeaOfFire]

Lions B2B.

It's the only prediction I care about