The future is looking bright for Brisbane as the Lions' firing forward pack prepares for a charge up the ladder, gun goalkicker Joe Daniher says.
His side's 17.12 (114) to 10.11 (71) mauling of the Western Bulldogs on Friday marked a return to form for Daniher's much-maligned forward partner Eric Hipwood and featured promising glimpses from youngsters Logan Morris and Kai Lohmann.
Daniher said it provided a good stepping stone for the Lions to jump back up the ladder after a disappointing start to the AFL season that has left them languishing in 13th place after 13 rounds.
"We're really clear on the processes that are going to get us back to the form that we want to get to, and we've been sticking to them for a while without seeing the results on the weekend," Daniher said.
Hipwood's six-goal performance was an equal career-best and showed the critics why the 26-year-old is so highly rated within the Lions camp.
"He plays such a critical role for us, he's a great team man," Daniher said.
"To see him get on the scoreboard was pleasing for his teammates, but we know how important he is for us.
"I know that within the four walls, he knows that he's really valued."
Also hitting the target were 18-year-old Morris and 21-year-old Lohmann - a promising sign for the Lions' future goalscoring prospects.
"(Morris) has been outstanding,'' Daniher said.
"His work in the pre-season showed us his talent and his ability, and that was really exciting, but the way that he’s been able to adapt to the team and the way that we’re trying to play has probably been more exciting.
"It’s a little bit of a different look down there, and all those guys have brought something new, something exciting and something that we can hold for the future.
"The forward-line group now is starting to get a little bit more cohesion together.
"This year we’ve had a couple of new players come in. They’re filling terrific roles and look like good long-term players for the football club. As a footy team, as a teammate, that’s really exciting."
