Prized recruit: Lachie Neale. Credit:AAP

The Lions are inside the eight and sixth on the ladder with seven wins and five losses. What's gone wrong and what's gone right heading into the bye?

THUMBS UP

Despite Saturday's disappointing loss to a struggling Carlton, there's many reasons to smile. This time last year, the Lions had just a single win to their name, despite being competitive for much of that time. This year, other than an after-the-siren loss to Fremantle, they've converted more of their opportunities.

They've beaten some handy opposition too, including reigning premiers West Coast in round one, held on by a point against Adelaide in round nine and convincingly accounted for perennial finalists Sydney and Hawthorn. And when they're up and about, the Lions are a freewheeling, high-scoring side, drawing decent crowds back to the Gabba.