The Reds admit their game has had to evolve "big time" since the loss of Samu Kerevi last season to give them their best chance in seven years of making the Super Rugby finals.
An early injury to star centre Jordan Petaia and the age of many of their backline players left playmaker Bryce Hegarty carrying the creative load for most of the year and playing a game that revolved around Kerevi, who had a breakout season that won him Rugby Australia's Super player of the year honours.
But the addition of Wallabies James O'Connor and Henry Speight to the group, a fit and firing Petaia, and greater experience throughout the backline has Queensland poised to play a more expansive game.
Attack coach Jim McKay said the Reds coaching staff had worked hard to develop a game model that suited the playing group and their level of development.
"Last year I felt a lot of stuff came down to Bryce (Hegarty) as a primary playmaker," McKay said.
"A lot of the ownership and responsibility was left to one or two and then Samu obviously had a terrific season and did a lot for us but we need to evolve our game big time.
"But this year you look across, and if Jordan (Petaia) can stay fit, he creates things and then off the back of that, things happen. You’ve got James (O'Connor) there, who can create things for himself and others, and then you've got Bryce in the mix and Jock (Campbell) and Isaac (Lucas).
"The guys we've got have had another year of growth and understanding of what's required and what they can do and ... suddenly you've got more guys, where you can get more movement across the park."
But it won't just happen. McKay said the Reds invested a good deal of time in the pre-season to schooling players on their roles.
"We spent a lot of time this season being clear about what we're doing and within that, a good game model but we've taken our time to make sure that we all understand it," he said.
"And within that, you're starting to see some really good connection and synergy. I believe the whole thing is going to take off.
"The boys have worked hard, not just on fitness this year but the education side of things and we're definitely much better prepared.
"But there's so much more growth to go. Last year, we prepared and hoped, I suppose. But this year, it's a much better feeling."
The Reds showed glimpses of their potential last season, especially in the forwards, where they could match any pack on their day.
And while they were mathematically in finals contention for much of the year, Thorn acknowledged that making the playoffs would have been "fast-tracking" his side.
"Definitely we want to make finals footy this year but I still believe every team should want that," Thorn said.
"Last year, I wanted to scrape in there. I felt it'd all be touch and go but I like fast-tracking and I wanted to sneak in there.
"Down to the last couple of games we were a chance but we just couldn't get those conversions. It just meant that we weren't ready yet, we hadn't earnt the right yet. It'll definitely be a goal this year."
Defensive coach Peter Ryan, too, has seen improvements.
"The development and growth of players defensively has been fantastic," Ryan said.
And that has led to changes in the defensive system that will allow the Reds to bring a new dimension to their game.
"We want to be more aggressive and more proactive in getting forward, dominant in our tackle technique. At the moment we're in a really good position."
Like Thorn, Ryan has won championships in both Super Rugby and the NRL.And in the Reds, he sees some elements of a successful team.
"You can see the higher skill level of the players this year from last year just with that experience under their belts," he said.
"Everyone's pointing the finger at us saying: 'These guys are going to be a force this year.' It means nothing at all until we put the wins on the board.
"We all know that the growth is in the team and at some stage we're going to be successful, it's just a matter of how soon."
Thorn sees some good signs though.
"I just think there's a lot of hunger there. I feel like there's more of an edge coming through to them," he said.
"At some stage, you've got to get used to this level of footy … and the professional comes along and he has an edge about him - an edge where he's there to win, he switches on, he has a way about him and I feel like I'm seeing more of that just looking at the boys.
"There's no fuss with the guys, they're just going their business. We'll see where it takes us. You'd hope there'd be some reward for effort with that stuff but you can never be sure."
The Reds take on the Brumbies at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Friday, January 31, in their season-opener, kicking off at 7:15pm AEDT and broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
