Lachie Neale has told Chris Fagan he's in career-best shape while the slick return from injury of Cameron Rayner also has the Brisbane coach buzzing.
Rayner missed the entire 2021 season with an ACL tear, but spent the year studying match film and tapping the brains of staff and teammates as he prepares for regular cameos in the Lions' midfield.
Neale battled through calf, back, ankle and shoulder complaints last season and then caused a stir when reports of an immediate trade request to Fremantle surfaced.
He shut down talk of the move and the 2020 Brownlow Medallist has presented in ominous condition ahead of a practice game against Adelaide on the Gold Coast on Friday.
"So many things went wrong (last season) ... but he turned up in great shape, hasn't missed a session and he's probably in the best fitness of his career," Fagan said of the midfielder.
"He thinks that, so that's all that matters and he'd know better than anyone.
"He's been able to turn the frustrations and disappointments of last year into something positive."
Ball magnets Neale and Jarryd Lyons have been central to the Lions' three consecutive top-four finishes since 2019.
A grand final appearance has eluded them though, Fagan admitting they "need some of these young blokes to step up a little bit more" to get there.
The plan is for Rayner, who could also play as another forward-line target, to offer that support as a pinch-hitting midfielder alongside the likes of Zac Bailey.
Those rotations would allow Neale and Lyons to push up-field and relieve pressure on small forward Charlie Cameron, who won't have the services of key tall Eric Hipwood (knee) until May.
Captain Dayne Zorko (ankle) is the only other relevant injury concern, the midfielder's only game-time likely to come in an intra-club game the weekend before their March 19 season opener against Port Adelaide.
Those outs have been offset by one impactful return in Rayner.
"His form in the practice games, I'll be honest, has surprised me," Fagan said.
"Sometimes after 12 months out not playing you can be a bit scratchy but it appears to me he couldn't wait for the opportunity to play again and he's learnt a lot in his time off.
"His energy and vibrancy around training; you don't realise how much you miss it until he's back.
"The world's his oyster and we love that about him."
