In the aftermath of Brisbane’s 138-point loss to Adelaide in Round 20, the situation in the sunshine state’s capital is dire.

It is the truest indication of where the Lions, as an organisation, sit and their immediate future remains bleak.

Brisbane’s 37-point win over Essendon may have cost the club the number one pick, but it saved Justin Leppitsch’s job – for the meantime.

But while the AFL and its partners have invested millions into the expansion clubs – Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney, they’ve simultaneously turned a blind eye on Brisbane, a team that has made the finals just once since four consecutive Grand Finals appearances from 2001-2004.

Following another significant loss, Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch fronted the media on Saturday night.

“We’ve been given nothing as a footy club,” he noted.

And to a point, he’s right. For years, the Lions have been searching for a new training facility with no plans coming to fruition.

James Aish left Brisbane and is beginning to flourish at Collingwood. Photo: Getty

Relegated to the lower chambers of the Gabba, the Lions’ resources are inadequate and one of the oldest in the league.

The AFL’s indiscretion toward Brisbane also extended to the draft. From 2010 to 2014, both expansion clubs monopolised the draft, occupying a combined 30% of the total first round picks across that time.

It was imperative for the competing teams to nail their first round selections.

Brisbane has not only failed to nail their draft picks, they haven’t even been in an ideal situation to do so – often drafting off the back foot.

Homesickness is a word thrown around often in AFL circles, but for Brisbane, it rings a harsh truth.

The growing trend of footballers wanting out of Brisbane is startling and unlike anything experienced by other teams around the league.

The departure of James Aish, Sam Docherty, Elliot Yeo, Billy Longer and Patrick Karnezis stunted Brisbane’s growth as a football team, who in 2015 yielded the youngest squad in the league – 121 days younger than any other team.

Tom Rockliff has had a poor season despite his usually glittering form. Photo: Getty

Even during Leigh Matthews’ reign at the club this stigma was predominant, seeing both Des Headland (Fremantle); a former number one pick, and Jason Gram (St Kilda); a pick 19, relocate in the early 2000s.

The waning age gap and stunted development has translated on-field too, generating an over-dependence on both the veteran and young contingents.

At 31, Daniel Merrett’s best days are long behind him, but he is forced to play an integral role in defence for the sole purpose that there are no adequate replacements in the wings.

And Justin Clarke’s forced retirement in March certainly hasn’t helped either.

In 2015 and after the arrival of recruits Dayne Beams and Allen Christensen, Lepptisch announced the midfield as one of the best in the league, but any performance in 2016 indicates the contrary.

The midfield doesn’t work defensively, and aren’t damaging going forward.

Tom Rockliff is largely lauded as fantasy footy’s top dog, but in reality he isn’t in the same echelon of other top midfielders from opposition clubs.

In fact, Rockliff has dropped from 61st in the AFL’s Official Player Rankings at the end of 2015 to 122 after Round 20.

The problems at Brisbane are deep rooted and have hindered the club both on and off the field.

With no discernible end in sight, the AFL will need to interject in some way and offer the adequate assistance required to a club, once the envy of the competition, back on its feet.

Anthony Wingard also writes for www.footyprophet.com – football and fantasy analysis unravelled.