Brisbane have a point to prove after falling short of back-to-back AFLW flags in 2024, but that's no different to any other year, gun forward Dakota Davidson says on the eve of the season.

The Lions were kept unconventionally quiet by a North Melbourne outfit chasing their first flag in the women's competition and looking to make amends for their 2023 loss in December's grand final rematch.

North lifted the trophy with a 39-9 win a IKON Park ending a sustained period of success without the ultimate prize since entering their competition in 2019.

Brisbane have similarly been an AFLW force from the competition's get-go, featuring in six of a possible eight grand finals with two flags in the cabinet.

Davidson added a second premiership medal to her CV with a hero performance against the Kangaroos in 2023.

"Every year we always have a point to prove," the Gunditjmara forward said on Wednesday.

"I've been in the competition now going on seven seasons. So I know what to expect every year," Davidson said, adding there's no chip on her shoulders, personally, but always enters a campaign as best prepared as possible.

Amongst the regular faces appearing at the pointy end of the season - like themselves, North and Adelaide - signs of the next era to come came knocking.

Port Adelaide and Essendon returned for their second finals berths, with fellow 2022 (season 7) inclusions Hawthorn slotting into their eight for the first time in second spot, and just one loss out of the home and away season.

Davidson agreed Brisbane's established and matured list will be a benefit to their credentials heading into another season, and noted her side have only gotten better after a disappointing end to their last.

"We've improved all over the ground,"

"I think our fitness has gotten a lot better. Our running carry has gone a lot better. Our numbers in the gym are always rising. That's always something we pride ourselves on…

"I like to think our mentality has gotten a lot better, and we're definitely growing in that aspect of the game. We've got a lot of players with a lot of finals experience, and a lot of players that have a lot of games."

The messaging from coach Craig Starcevich heading into their start, Davidson said, has been much of the same they've already heard.

Davidson put together another strong year in 2024 off the back of a dominant premiership ship, capped by adding multiple goals in each of the five matches to end the year - including all three finals appearances.

The Lions come up against Hawthorn in round one in Brisbane next Sunday afternoon, August 13.

The two clubs last met in a nail-biting qualifying final last year.

Hawthorn are a "very exciting", "young, upcoming" outfit in the competition, Davidson said.

"They have a very fast style of play. We've been able to play against them in finals. So everything's always bigger and better in finals…they should pack quite the punch this year. They've had a very good off season, by the looks of things.