Former number one draft pick Cam Rayner has shown glimpses in his first two years with the Lions of why he was such a highly rated junior.
He has already racked up 46 games and kicked 40 goals, playing in bursts, but struggling to have consistent impact on games.
Terry Wallace has watched him closely and believes he was incredibly close to a finals series to remember in 2019 and says he could be ready for a leap this season.
“Cam Rayner, whether he can take that next step, I thought he was an inch away in the finals last year,” Wallace told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“He did some slashing things. If he had have finished a couple of his actions with goals rather than points, I think we would actually be talking about him differently.
“In the finals there were real genuine opportunities for him as well, so I think he can lift his game to another level as well.”
Many, including SEN’s own Kane Cornes, are predicting Brisbane to drop away in 2020 after a surprising top-two finish last year.
However, Wallace remains confident that they will be among the top eight.
“I’m not one of those that’s anti-Brisbane. A few people are saying they’ll probably come off a little bit,” he said.
“I think it’s a pretty balanced and good line-up that they’ve got now. Obviously it will be a tougher draw and sides will be more ready for them, but I went up to both their finals at the Gabba and I walked away going they’re only an inch away in both of the matches.
“I know Richmond gave them a bit of a touch up in the second half, but they should have been a lot further in front in the first half. They’re going along nicely.”