Retained Brisbane captain Dayne Beams admits he may not be around when the Lions finally become an AFL force again.
But the 27-year-old reckons the reigning wooden spooners can already "see a light at the end of the tunnel" after the arrival of Hawthorn great Luke Hodge.
Beams will hold the captaincy reins for the second straight season with the Lions leadership group for the upcoming AFL season confirmed.
The former Collingwood premiership winner said it was the most optimistic he had felt since joining the club four years ago.
He can sense success but long suffering Lions fans better not hold their breath.
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Beams expects external pressure on the three-time premiers to make the finals for the first time in nine years in 2018 after Hodge's arrival.
The four-time premiership winner wasn't included in the Lions' 2018 leadership group but will play a key mentoring role.
However Beams believes the lessons passed on to their young group by the likes of Hodge will bear fruit long term.
"I get a lot of enjoyment seeing them improve every day but I am getting to the latter stages of my career," he said.
"I may not be here for their success but if I play a small part in that and can sit back when we are done and watch these guys go through a really strong period of success that will make me just as excited.
"I am optimistic where we can finish this year but I don't want to put parameters on that, I just want our guys to make improvements and see where that takes us.
"Hopefully they can see there is a bit of light at the end of tunnel for the footy club."
Brisbane collected last season's wooden spoon with just five wins - two more victories than they managed in 2016.
All-Australian Dayne Zorko will be Beams' deputy, taking over from Port Adelaide recruit Tom Rockliff.
Defender Harris Andrews, 21, has been promoted to deputy vice-captain.
Stefan Martin, Ryan Lester and Allen Christensen complete the leadership group.
Beams said he had already learnt a lot from Hodge but would be his own skipper in 2018.
"At Hawthorn he obviously had a lot of success so we would be silly not to seek his advice and try to get better," he said.
"He is very organised and that is probably not my greatest strength but I will have my own style."
