Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie Neale is confident that his team can still contend for the AFL title despite the retirement of their star forward Joe Daniher.
Daniher, who was a key player in the Lions' premiership-winning campaign last season, has decided to hang up his boots, leaving a significant void in the team's attacking lineup.
However, Neale believes that the team has the depth and talent to cover the loss of Daniher, and is optimistic about their chances of defending their title.
'We've got a really talented list and we've got a lot of depth,' Neale said in a recent interview.
'While Joe was a key player for us last season, we've got other players who can step up and fill the void he's left behind.'
Neale pointed to the team's strong performance in the preseason as evidence that they are well placed to cover the loss of Daniher.
'We've had a really strong preseason and we're feeling really confident about our chances this season,' he said.
The Lions' title defence will begin in earnest when they take on their arch-rivals in the opening round of the season.
While the loss of Daniher is a significant blow, the team is hopeful that they can still make a strong push for the title.
With a talented list and a strong team culture, the Lions are well placed to make a deep run in the finals.
Neale's comments have been welcomed by Lions fans, who are eager to see their team succeed again this season.
The team's title defence will be a major storyline in the AFL this season, and fans will be eagerly watching to see how they perform without Daniher.