The reigning premiers are finally on the board for 2024 as Collingwood’s class saw them overcome wild swings in momentum to take their grand final rematch against Brisbane by 20 points.
Jake Santa Maria
Losing a key defender while he was in mediation talks over racism claims ahead of a grand final rematch could give Chris Fagan good reason to be distracted.
Marco Monteverde
Having taken a big step in his return from a serious knee injury, Lions off-season recruit Tom Doedee is poised to make a timely AFL comeback.
A grand final re-match always gives the loser a chance for revenge but there’s more at stake for the Brisbane Lions this week.
A patched-up Brisbane squad got their first look at a reassembled Optus Stadium surface yesterday, 24 hours before their round one clash with Fremantle
Glen Quartermain
Chris Fagan says Lachie Neale’s comments labelling Brisbane ‘selfish’ during their loss to Carlton came from inside the club, not just the injured midfielder himself.
Jackson Barrett
Dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale is set to miss Brisbane’s trip to WA to face Fremantle in a huge boost for the Dockers’ hopes of a season-opening victory on Sunday. Here’s why.
Samantha Rogers
Optus Stadium staff are working ‘tirelessly’ to prepare the playing surface to host Fremantle’s clash with Brisbane on Sunday, with chief executive Mike McKenna declaring it will be match-ready.
‘Smart footballer’ Tom Doedee is all but ready to push for a permanent spot in the Lions’ backline.
Brisbane and Carlton’s premiership hopes have copped huge blows after Blues veteran Sam Docherty and Lions young gun Keidean Coleman both suffered ACL injuries in a bruising clash at the Gabba.
Carlton have come from 46 points behind to upset Brisbane by one point at the Gabba, while Lions star Keidean Coleman suffered a likely ACL tear.
Murray Wenzel
For the first time in more than a decade, Carlton have defeated Brisbane at the Gabba in a stunning 46-point turnaround. Here are our five key takeaways.
Brisbane midfielder Deven Robertson has opened up on his decision to turn down a lucrative deal to join West Coast and remain at the Lions — a move that even surprised his coach.
Mitchell Woodcock
While the pain of last year’s grand final loss still lingers, the Brisbane Lions are confident they have taken the necessary steps to go one better this season.
Carlton is ready to make amends for last year’s AFL preliminary final loss at the Gabba when they meet Brisbane on Friday night.
Having made only four top-flight appearances last season, a Lions defender knows a positional switch could help his chances of playing more football.
The worst thing to do as a footballer is re-watch a grand final loss but the ways the Brisbane Lions did it should only help their 2024 premiership campaign
News Corp Australia
There have been further calls to abandon plans to redevelop the Gabba for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Having played a grand final in his first season of AFL football, Jaspa Fletcher wants to experience that again, only this time with a different result.
Brisbane Lions star Dayne Zorko won’t be satisfied until he wins an AFL premiership.
Brisbane are taking a cautious approach with Deven Robertson’s wrist injury after the young midfielder went under the knife again.
Collingwood may have achieved the ultimate glory in 2023 but their fans still felt hard done by after Lachie Neale adorned the front cover of the 2024 AFL Season Guide.
Already thrilled to have been part of this year’s premiership-winning AFLW team, Brisbane Lions midfielder Ally Anderson has been given further reason to celebrate.
Perth could become a temporary home to the Brisbane Lions, with the AFL runners-up eyeing a new ground for hosting matches from 2026.
© West Australian Newspapers Limited 2024