This year: 13 wins, 1 draw, 8 losses, 106.7 percentage

This year's grade (A-F): B+

Positives from this year: At the start of 2009, coach Michael Voss was confident his side could play finals football, but it was not a view widely held by pundits and punters alike. In his first year in charge, Voss helped break the club's finals drought that extended back to 2004. The Lions claimed a major scalp in Geelong (albeit a severely injury-depleted side) in the regular season and will be richer for their September experience. Brisbane recorded a thrilling seven-point win over Carlton in week one of finals before being outclassed by the Western Bulldogs in the semi-finals.

The improvement came mostly from youth.

The wraps on AFL-ready Daniel Rich were more than promising when he was selected with the seventh pick in last year's draft, but the 19-year-old easily surpassed them. Rich was the unanimous selection for the NAB Rising Star Award and his bullet-like left-foot kicks had the Lions' forwards salivating throughout the season. Mitch Clark, 21, was a revelation in the ruck. Clark was an inconsistent utility at the start of the year but stepped up with aplomb in the absence of injured regulars Jamie Charman and Matthew Leuenberger. Youngsters Jack Redden and James Polkinghorne also displayed maturity well beyond their years.

Furthermore, Voss found a way to get the best out of veterans like former team-mate Ashley McGrath - who in his ninth year at the club went from forward pocket specialist to rebounding defender. Jonathan Brown took the captaincy in his giant stride with much success. Brown booted a career-best 85 goals in 2009 to see him named in the All-Australian side and finish second in the race for the Coleman Medal.

Negatives from this year: The Lions were crowned 'comeback kings' by Voss after they overturned a 30-point deficit in the final quarter of the elimination final against the Blues. It left the club on a high, but the trend of inconsistent football is something that frustrated Voss throughout the year. Bradd Dalziell started the season in impressive form but missed 10 weeks with a serious knee injury. The hard-running midfielder returned to the side but found himself out of favour with the selection committee come September. Dalziell is reportedly homesick and seeking a trade that would return him to Perth.

The Lions had a rough time of it in the medical room, with Charman (ankle) and Leuenberger (knee) suffering season-ending injuries early on. Jed Adcock, Daniel Bradshaw, Josh Drummond, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull and Troy Selwood all had extended stints on the sidelines too.

Likely departures: Tim Notting (retired). Fringe players Albert Proud, Jason Roe, Rhan Hooper and Dalziell would appear to be the most expendable options if the club is looking for trade bait.

Next year:

Type of Players needed: The injection of more class across the ground would be Brisbane's biggest aim for 2010. There was no doubting their intent throughout the year, but the one-sided nature of their semi-final exposed the limitations of a few players. The Lions will look to further develop their youth brigade, while Voss has indicated the club will aim to add more speed to the midfield. It may only have been popped open this year, but Brisbane would be right to be cautious about their 'premiership window' closing. Key players Bradshaw (30 years old), Simon Black (30), Luke Power (29) and Brown (27) are not getting younger.

Likely improvement: The progress will have to come from increased maturity and skill across the board, and indeed consistency - on both a macro and micro level. Adcock, Merrett, Joel Patfull and Justin Sherman should all play their 100th AFL games in 2010 and transition into steadfast players. The prospect of Clark being joined by one of Leuenberger or Charman is also promising.

Brisbane's reliance on Brown and Bradshaw for the bulk of its goals is perhaps a tad unhealthy, but ultimately a largely successful formula. However the club will no doubt be hoping someone will step up and announce themselves as Bradshaw's understudy at full-forward.

Finals next year? The Lions were branded with the overachiever tag for much of 2009, but only a brave individual would suggest they will take a serious step backwards and miss out on the finals next season. Cracking the top four will be an ambitious goal, but it is one Voss must start the season with.