While it was a disappointing season for the Lions, with only four wins and a spate of injuries, players on the Club's young list impressed in their development and a number of the older hands showed great leadership, consistency and commitment to the team.
 
Today lions.com.au looks at guernseys 22-26 in the third part of its series of player reviews.

#22. Marco Paparone

Sharing his time between key position and running-half-back, West Australian Marco Paparone made a strong impression in 2015, where he functioned effectively (on account of his elite speed) as a link between defensive 50 and the midfield. The 20-year-old’s best game in 2015 was in Round 10 against GWS, where he finished with 25 disposals and 11 marks. This good form continued throughout much of the season, where he led the Lions’ rebound 50s (79), his disposal average climbed to 18.9 and his marks per game averaged 6.4. While there is still room for improvement for Paparone (he is occasionally caught out of possession and beaten in one-on-one contests against bigger-bodied opponents) the Lions are confident that, with experience, he will develop into one of the Club’s best defenders.

#23. Matthew Leuenberger

The West Australian ruckman failed to see out the year after suffering a knee injury in Round 18 against the Cats in a season that was characterised by deep ebbs and flows. Struggling for form at the start of the season, Leuenberger returned to the senior side in Round 6 after spending time in the NEAFL. He found form, however, in the absence of Stefan Martin in Round 14 with 51 hit-outs, nine tackles and two goals. An unrestricted free agent, Leuenberger is weighing up his options for the 2016 season.

#24. Liam Dawson

Youngster Liam Dawson had a fairy-tale debut season at the Lions, playing 10 games and combining with fellow Hyundai Help for Kids Academy product Harris Andrews to form an integral part of the Lions’ back six. After kicking a goal in his debut match against the Bombers in Round Eight, Dawson again impressed in Round 18 against the Cats, where he collected 19 possessions. Providing run off half-back, the 19-year-old Queenslander will continue to improve with experience.

#25. Daniel McStay

Second year player Daniel McStay’s season was characterised by steady development and a handful of standout performances: the 20-year-old had two 3 goal hauls and a career best four goals in Round Six against Carlton. McStay missed two matches with a finger injury, and struggled for consistency at times, as he shifted between playing forward and back as Coach Justin Leppitsch experimented as the Lions struggled with injuries. McStay holds plenty of promise for Lions fans, with his strong marking hands and big-bodied presence suggesting a strong future in the Club’s forward line.

#26. Tom Cutler

Tom Cutler made big strides in his development in 2015, often being used for his run off half-back, as well as for his speed through the wing and midfield. He gathered a career-high 32 disposals against West Coast in Round 4, and had 28 touches against the Bulldogs late in the season. Cutler will be looking to secure his place in the Lions’ line-up in 2016.