THE BRISBANE Lions might have loaded up with some heavy off-season artillery, but vice-captain Tom Rockliff says talk of finals in 2015 might be a little premature.
The Lions won seven games in Justin Leppitsch's first season in charge and have had a productive off-season to date, adding midfield stars Dayne Beams, Allen Christensen and discarded Carlton enforcer Mitch Robinson.
While Rockliff says he's excited by the influx of talent to go along with the Lions' emerging list, he was quick to put the brakes on external expectations for 2015.
"To say finals, I don't think that should be talked about, but we've got to improve and get at least 10 wins. I reckon [that] would be around a pass mark," he told AFL.com.au.
"We're going to be highly competitive in a lot of games. The longer we can keep ourselves in games and give ourselves opportunities, results will start to fall our way.
"You don't really know until the way your pre-season pans out and you see how the opposition teams are playing as well."
The Lions will also be bolstered next season by the return of classy midfielder Daniel Rich, who is running strongly in his rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction.
They can also add Jack Redden (ankle) and Matthew Leuenberger (knee) to the midfield mix after both missed significant chunks of 2014.
Rockliff said Leppitsch would have some juggling to do, but believed the plethora of on-ballers could all play in the one team.
"You've got to have nine or 10 that can play through the midfield and half-forward and half-back," he said.
"It's good to add a bit more depth to our list and I think we'll be highly competitive in games for longer periods.
"I think everyone can fit in, absolutely. It makes it more competitive and harder for blokes to get positions. That's a good environment."
Rockliff is preparing to represent Australia in the Virgin Australia International Rules Test against Ireland on November 22, but said he was itching to return to club training immediately after.
