Darcy Gardiner is not best 22 for the flag-bearing Brisbane Lions in their premiership defence in 2025, but he will be called upon to suit up for the rest of the campaign after a long-term injury to first-choice full back Jack Payne. The Lions tend to play smallish in back 50 anyway with undersized Ryan Lester as their third key defender, so their structure requires a traditional back-shoulder stopper at full back. This is a specialised role which Gardiner will do his best at, but will continue to be a weakness in the Brisbane line-up that they will hope doesn't get exposed in September.
