Well before the first bounce, Brandon Starcevich had predicted “a few moments of brilliance is all it’s going to take, and we’ve got plenty of guys to do it”.
In the end, there was barely a Brisbane Lion who failed to have one of those moments of their own, as they defied Sydney’s favouritism to avenge last year’s AFL grand final heartache with an 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60) demolition.
Starcevich was among them, regularly defusing the Swans’ electric midfield to ensure his side held a slender lead at the first break – despite conceding 15 inside 50s to 12. On the back of that, Brisbane kicked 46 points in the second term to place one hand on the trophy.
Brandon Starcevich of the Lions.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Kai Lohmann was sensational in kicking four goals, while Joe Daniher and Darcy Fort contained giant ruckman Brodie Grundy to strike back-to-back goals frequently, all in the absence of the wounded Oscar McInerney.
Callum Ah Chee continued his faultless finals’ series with four goals, 14 disposals and a pair of goal assists, while Norm Smith Medal winner Will Ashcroft combined with Lachie Neale in unflappable fashion.
They were just some of the names who helped rewrite the wrongs of yesteryear, when Brisbane suffered a four-point defeat to Collingwood, and claimed the Lions’ first premiership since 2003.
It was the ultimate team performance, with too many Norm Smith Medal contenders to name, as Brisbane saved their best for last and became just the second team this century to win the premiership from outside the top four.
Grand final defeats can go one of two ways – it can inspire the troops, or prove the breaking point which triggers a capitulation.
But this Lions outfit was galvanised under coach Chris Fagan. Even when things looked bleak early in the season, when they fell to a 2-5 win-loss record, they kept the faith and could not have been more dominant.
Lions fans react as Callum Ah Chee of the Lions celebrates a goal.Credit: via Getty Images
“All that was being said about us in the media and the narratives that were being written, [Fagan] was sort of saying it could go one of two ways from that point,” Starcevich told this masthead.
“You either come together and unite, or can tear apart, and things start falling apart. But it brought us closer together, and the brotherhood and belief amongst each other grew.
“As things started to turn, we came together even more.”
Can they create a dynasty to rival the three-peat of the early 2000s under Leigh Matthews? They have the experience to do so – having made two preliminary finals, a semi-final final and now two deciders since 2019.
And with a cohort of emerging stars making palpable statements, anything is possible.
The cubs stand tall: What does this mean for Brisbane’s returning class?
In the week leading up to Saturday’s triumph, Brisbane head of football Danny Daly confessed the emergence of the club’s rookie class was one borne out of necessity.
Season-ending knee injuries to Keidean Coleman, Tom Doedee, Lincoln McCarthy and Darcy Gardiner left gaping voids in the Lions’ side, coinciding with a horror 2-5 start to the campaign.
But the youngsters who filled their shoes did more than assume roles. They shone in their own right, and played crucial hands in the decider.
Lohmann has established himself as the side’s energiser bunny, while fellow forward Logan Morris came up with two goals and six marks.
Ashcroft was phenomenal, combining brilliantly with Neale, Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley to finish with 30 disposals and five clearances.
Jaspa Fletcher (18 disposals) and Darcy Wilmot (15 disposals, eight marks) rounded out the young quintet, and now the question heading into 2025 will be how on earth Fagan can squeeze his comeback quartet into this side.
Of the fledging stars, only Morris and Lohmann are unsigned beyond 2025, and they loom as key retentions in the off season as the Lions seek to cement their future.
Fitting all the aforementioned guns into his side is just about the finest headache Fagan would have ever experienced. For now, it is time to celebrate.
Lachie Neale of the Lions chases the ball.Credit: Getty Images
Can Neale get better again?
Perhaps one of the most surprising things the Brownlow Medal revealed this week was how far down the pecking order Neale finished in the tally – finishing 12th overall.
But the reality has been the 31-year-old has found a way to become even better in 2024.
The Brisbane co-captain was outstanding, composed in the contest while proving to be the everywhere-man.
He dominated the middle and probed forward to orchestrate the Lions’ attack, butalso found himself backfield cleaning up the scraps when Sydney threatened to score.
Players, Chris Fagan and fans celebrate the victory.Credit: Channel Seven
Never has Neale finished with as many goal assists as what he has in 2024, his 26 almost double his career-best, as well as total disposals (761) and inside 50s.
On Saturday, he finished with a game-high 34 disposals to go with nine clearances, and Starcevich warned he would only get better.
“He gives himself every chance to be at his best every week with the way he prepares,” Starcevich said.
“He’s still getting better every year. He’s an inspiration to everyone at the club in that if you keep working on your craft you can still get better and better.
“He goes from strength to strength every year and keeps adding little things to his game.”
Dunkley makes history
Dunkley was the only man in this side who had achieved the near unthinkable – winning the flag from outside the top four.
He did so during his Western Bulldogs days, and now he enters illustrious company as the only man in the modern finals format to win two premierships – and with two clubs – since the top-eight format came into effect.
Lions fans at the Howard Smith Wharves AFL grand final live site in Brisbane.Credit: William Davis
What made Dunkley’s feat more remarkable was the man he opposed in Sydney supremo Isaac Heeney.
Aside from a third-quarter goal when he broke inside 50 unmarked, Heeney’s impact was limited, courtesy of the effort Dunkley had put on him – by the full-time siren, the Swans midfielder had just 14 touches.
