2022 Best 22 – Brisbane Lions

The Lions’ premiership window is still well and truly open but the boys from Brisbane would want to get a wriggle on if they want to hold that cup aloft before some of their older stars start to drop off!

Brisbane Lions Best 22

To me the Brisbane side looks to be very settled heading into 2022. After the retirement of Grant Birchall, the return of a fully fit Noah Answerth could not come at a better time for the Lions defence. He slots into a back pocket and will be a valuable asset to their backline.

There is talk that Dayne Zorko will head to the backline this season but until I see it, I still have him featuring highly in the midfield/forward rotations along with Cam Rayner. Hopefully we get to see a fully fit Rayner do some damage in the Lions outfit this season.

I have not included Eric Hipwood in the Lions lineup due to his ACL injury. There is talk that he could return as early as May but I’m always happy to be a little cautious with serious knee injuries. Obviously if he’s fit, he is a walk up start in their side. Dan McStay did a fantastic job in his absence late last season and he’ll resume the CHF role early in 2022.

Darcy Fort‘s arrival gives Oscar McInerney a genuine chop out option in the ruck and Fort has shown he can be more than handy up forward when needed.

I’ve given Callum Ah Chee the nod for one of the final bench spots but that could realistically be taken by Keidean Coleman who is having a great pre-season by all reports.

With a fully fit side, it’s hard to see the Lions gift any games to youngsters like Ely Smith or Tom Berry especially with seasoned guys like Ryan Lester, Rhys Mathieson and Nakia Cockatoo waiting in the wings.

CBA prediction

2021 CBA leaders (by average):

1. Lachie Neale
2. Oscar McInerney
3. Jarryd Lyons
4. Dayne Zorko
5. Deven Robertson
6. Rhys Mathieson

The Oracle’s 2022 CBA prediction:

1. Lachie Neale
2. Jarryd Lyons
3. Oscar McInerney
4. Cam Rayner
5. Dayne Zorko
6. Deven Robertson

Kick-in prediction

2021 kick-in leaders:

1. Daniel Rich
2. Grant Birchall
3. Brandon Starcevich

The Oracle’s 2022 kick-in prediction:

1. Daniel Rich
2. Brandon Starcevich
3. Dayne Zorko