Page 46 - AFL Queensland 2014 in Review

In a learning year for the Lions, they unearthed a lot of talent but lost a wealth of experience to retirement - it is fair to say that a lot has happened since Justin Leppitsch walked in the door roughly a year ago.
However the Club definitely achieved a lot apart from the wins and losses.
They had a great opportunity to expose plenty of young players to footy at the top level and all of them responded well to their opportunities.
First year sensation, Lewy Taylor was crowned the 2014 NAB Rising Star, edging out Marcus Bontempell by one vote, in the closest count in the prestigious award’s history.
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Tom Rockliff was selected in the All-Australian side, and Stefan Martin turned his career around with a stellar return to senior football.
Some of the club’s greatest servants announced their retirements, with Jonathan Brown and Ash McGrath both hanging up the boots.
Brown retired as one of the best the game has ever seen, and arguably the most courageous player of all time.
BRISBANE
LIONS goals and three premiership medallions.
REPORT
Highly regarded by the entire football public, Brown’s accolades include two All Australian selections, a Coleman Medal (2007) and three AFLPA Most Courageous Player Awards.
Brown retired effective immediately, after suffering a heavy concussion during the Lions’ Round 13 clash with the Giants.
Unlike Brown, McGrath was lucky enough to be able to take to the Gabba one last time in front of the Lions faithful. After a career spanning 213 games and 14 years, McGrath played his farewell game against Fremantle in Round 22.
When injury plagued the side early in the season new Senior Coach, Justin Leppitsch was forced to blood his young talent.
The Lions’ debutant list was sent into double figures in the final round of the season when rookie, Jordon Bourke, made his first AFL appearance against Geelong.
Bourke become the second Hyundai Lions Academy player to debut, following in the footsteps of Jonathan Freeman, who debuted three weeks earlier in Round 20.
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`Amazingly, eight out of the Lions’ 10 debutants were first year players, with Bourke and Michael Close the only debutants not to have joined the club during the 2013 draft period.
He called time on his career after 256 games with the Brisbane Lions, 594