Brisbane
Coach – Chris Fagan
2024 –
Points For – 5th
Points Against – 2nd
Top 5 Best and Fairest
- Lachie Neale
- Dayne Zorko
- Josh Dunkley
- Hugh McCluggage
- Darcy Wilmot
2024 Rising Star Noms
Kai Lohmann (Rnd10)
Logan Morris (Rnd 15)
Ins – Levi Ashcroft, Sam Day, Ty Gallop, Sam Marshall
Outs – Joe Daniher. Kalin Lane, Jarryd Lyons, James Madden, Carter Michael, Harry Sharp
My Prediction
Ridiculously, Brisbane has had five separate Rising Star nominations over the past two seasons. They have possibly the best player out of last years draft on top of another academy kid in the first round. They have young talent coming out of everywhere. The question this year is all about how important was Joe. Everything else is essentially upside.
The backline had it’s challenges last year with losing Doedee and Coleman but they sounds replacements and Zorko ended having almost the best year of his career despite being 58 years old. Coleman will come back in and will be interesting to see what they do with him. Andrews is still the prototype tall full back, throw in Wilmot who was outstanding, Starcevich who might be the best small stopper in the game and it is a very good backline. Could be the best in the AFL.
The midfield is ridiculous. Neale, Berry and Bailey have plenty of grunt and often get first hands, McCluggage is a great user (unless it’s a shot at goal), throw in both of the Ashcroft boys and they may struggle to fit Dunkley into their starting midfield. Coleman may see some time on the wing when he comes back from his knee and you have Rayner on the HF line but able to push through the middle.
Last year you would have thought they needed a big year from Cameron but he was bog average for large parts of the season. Lohmann stood up and looks a very exciting player. Hipwood has not come along and will interesting to losing Joe helps him in being the main focal point of their attack. The forward line looks like being their weakest part of the field and will be interesting to see how Fagan structures it.
Oscar McInerny was very good last year before injury ruled him out of the grand final and allowed renowned spud. Darcy Fort to stand up and play a ripper. They will still be hoping the big O can stay on the field. They are a better team with him. Fagan has now answered all critics with a resounding premiership win and there is no pressure whatsoever on him. He does have the list though to run deep into September again.
There aren’t many holes in the Brisbane list. They have quality youth, they have good veterans and are well coached. You could argue that they are a KP forward short but the game isn’t really moving in that direction. They started so slow last year before timing their run to perfection. The only thing that stops them being a top two team is attitude and I think they will be switched on. Top Two for mine.