Brisbane Lions facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brisbane Lions
Names
Full name	Brisbane Bears-Fitzroy Football Club Limited, trading as Brisbane Lions Australian Football Club
Nickname(s)	Lions
2025 season
After finals	AFL: Premiers
Home-and-away season	AFL: 3rd
Leading goalkicker	AFL: Logan Morris (53)
Best and fairest	AFL: Josh Dunkley
Club details
Founded	1 November 1996 From the incorporated AFL operations of: Fitzroy Football Club (formed 1883) Brisbane Bears (formed 1987)
Colours	Maroon      Blue      Gold
Competition	AFL: Senior men AFLW: Senior women VFL: Reserves men
Chairman	Andrew Wellington
CEO	Sam Graham
Coach	AFL: Chris Fagan AFLW: Craig Starcevich VFL: Ben Hudson
Captain(s)	AFL: Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale AFLW: Breanna Koenen
Premierships	AFL (5) 2001 2002 2003 2024 2025 AFLW (2) 2021 2023 Reserves (5) 2001 2012 2013 2017 2019
Ground(s)	AFL: The Gabba (1997–present) AFLW: Springfield Central Stadium (8,000) VFL: Springfield Central Stadium
Training ground(s)	Springfield Central Stadium (2022–present)
Uniforms
Home Away Clash
Other information
Official website	lions.com.au
Current season

The Brisbane Lions are a professional Australian rules football club from Brisbane, Queensland. They play in the top league, the Australian Football League (AFL). The Lions are super successful, having won the AFL championship (called a premiership) five times! They even won back-to-back premierships in 2024 and 2025.

The club was formed in 1996 when two older clubs, the Brisbane Bears (started in 1987) and Fitzroy (started in 1883), joined together. The Lions' team colors—maroon, blue, and gold—come from both of these original clubs.

The Lions play their home games at the Gabba in Brisbane. Their main training and office facilities are at Springfield Central Stadium. They are known as one of the most successful AFL clubs of the 21st century! They also have a women's team in the AFLW competition, which has won two premierships, and a men's reserves team in the Victorian Football League.

The Lions' Story: From Two Clubs to One

How Fitzroy Football Club Started

The Fitzroy Football Club began in Melbourne in 1883. They quickly became a very strong team in the early days of Australian rules football. Fitzroy won eight premierships, showing how powerful they were. Famous players like Haydn Bunton Sr. played for them.

Fitzroy's 1898 premiership-winning side

However, after 1965, Fitzroy faced tough times. They struggled on the field and had financial problems. This led to discussions about the club needing to move or merge with another team.

The Brisbane Bears Join the League

The Brisbane Bears started in 1987. They were a new team in the AFL, playing their first games at Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast. In their early years, the Bears found it hard to win games.

Carrara Stadium was the original home ground of the Brisbane Bears.

After some changes in ownership, the club moved all its home games to the Gabba in Brisbane in 1993. This move helped them connect better with fans in their home city. The Bears started to improve and drafted exciting young players like Michael Voss. Despite getting better, the club still faced financial challenges.

The Brisbane Lions are Born!

Because both Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears were having difficulties, the AFL decided to help them join forces. In 1996, the Brisbane Bears and Fitzroy Football Club merged. This created the new team we know today: the Brisbane Lions!

The new club kept the Gabba as its home ground. It also adopted many parts of Fitzroy's identity, like their lion logo and team song. Eight players from Fitzroy joined the new Brisbane Lions team. The Brisbane Lions officially started playing in the national competition in 1997.

Brisbane Lions' Journey to Success

Early Years and a New Coach: 1997–2000

In their first year, 1997, the Lions surprisingly made it to the finals. This was a big achievement for a brand new team! However, they finished last in 1998.

To turn things around, the club hired a legendary coach, Leigh Matthews, in 1999. He had a great history of winning championships. Matthews helped the Lions embrace their past and brought new energy to the team. Within a year, the Lions jumped from last place to fourth! They made it to the preliminary finals in 1999.

During this time, the club brought in future star players like Luke Power, Jonathan Brown, and Simon Black. These players would become very important for the team's future success.

Three Championships in a Row: 2001–2004

The early 2000s were an amazing time for the Brisbane Lions! They started 2001 strong, and after a famous speech by Coach Matthews, they went on a winning streak. They reached the 2001 AFL Grand Final and, against the odds, defeated Essendon to win their first premiership! Shaun Hart was named the best player in that Grand Final.

Michael Voss captained Brisbane to three successive premierships.

In 2002, the Lions continued their winning ways. They won a club record 17 games and faced Collingwood in the 2002 AFL Grand Final. In a tough, wet game, Brisbane won their second consecutive premiership!

The Lions made history in 2003 by winning their third premiership in a row! They beat Collingwood again in the 2003 AFL Grand Final, becoming one of only a few teams to achieve a "three-peat." Simon Black was outstanding in this game, setting a record for most possessions.

In 2004, the Lions reached their fourth Grand Final in a row! However, they lost to Port Adelaide in a tough match. This was the first Grand Final where both teams were from outside Victoria.

Rebuilding and New Coaches: 2005–2016

After their amazing run, the Lions had some challenging years. They missed the finals for several seasons. Coach Leigh Matthews resigned in 2008.

Former captain Michael Voss took over as coach in 2009. The team showed promise, making it to the semi-finals that year. However, they struggled again in the following seasons. Key players like Jonathan Brown and Simon Black eventually retired.

Players training in 2007

Justin Leppitsch, another former premiership player, became coach in 2014. The team continued to face difficulties, and Leppitsch's time as coach ended in 2016.

Building a Strong Team with Chris Fagan: 2017–2022

In 2016, Chris Fagan was appointed as the new senior coach. He began to rebuild the team with young talent. The Lions showed great improvement, and by 2019, they made the finals for the first time in ten years! They finished second on the ladder.

Coach Chris Fagan

The Lions continued their strong form in 2020 and 2021, making it to the top four. In 2022, they had an exciting finals run, winning two thrilling games before losing in the preliminary final.

Three Grand Finals and Back-to-Back Championships: 2023–Present

The Lions were a top team in 2023, reaching the 2023 AFL Grand Final for the first time since 2004! It was a very close game against Collingwood, but the Lions just missed out on the premiership.

In 2024, the Lions had an incredible season! After a tough start, they made an amazing comeback, winning many games in a row. They fought their way through the finals and defeated Sydney in the 2024 AFL Grand Final to win their first premiership in 21 years! Young star Will Ashcroft was named the best player in the Grand Final.

The success continued in 2025! The Lions had another fantastic season, finishing third on the ladder. They made it to their third Grand Final in a row and defeated Geelong in the 2025 AFL Grand Final. This win meant they were back-to-back champions, securing their fifth premiership overall! Will Ashcroft won the Norm Smith Medal again, becoming one of only a few players to win it twice. This made the Lions the most successful non-Victorian AFL club ever!

Club Community and Identity

Supporters and Sponsorship

Brisbane's Story Bridge in the colors of the Lions, 2016

The Brisbane Lions have a large and growing fan base. Their membership numbers and game attendance grew a lot during their championship years in the early 2000s. The club also has many loyal fans in Victoria, especially in the Fitzroy area, honoring their history.

The club works with various sponsors to help support the team. These partnerships are important for the club's operations.

Relationship with Fitzroy Football Club

Brunswick Street Oval has been called the spiritual home of both Fitzroy and the Brisbane Lions.

The Brisbane Lions have a special connection with the original Fitzroy Football Club. Fitzroy still exists as an amateur club in Melbourne. The Lions honor this history by including "BBFFC" (Brisbane Bears-Fitzroy Football Club) on their jerseys. They also bring their premiership trophies to Brunswick Street Oval, Fitzroy's old home ground, after winning a Grand Final.

Brisbane Lions flag flying over Fitzroy Town Hall during the 2021 finals series

There was a disagreement about the club's lion logo in 2009, but it was resolved. The Lions now use both their newer logo and the traditional Fitzroy lion. They also support Fitzroy's junior teams and invite past players to be involved.

Team Look and Feel

A 2019 match between Brisbane and the Sydney Swans at the Gabba, Brisbane's home ground

The Fitzroy passant lion became the emblem of the Brisbane Lions.

The Lions' emblem features a golden lion, reflecting their strong connection to Fitzroy. Over the years, the logo has changed slightly, but the lion remains a key part of it.

The team has different jerseys:

• Home Guernsey: Mostly maroon with blue and gold, featuring the Fitzroy Lion.
• Away Guernsey: Mostly red with blue and gold, similar to Fitzroy's last colors.
• Clash Guernsey: Mostly gold with maroon, inspired by the Brisbane Bears' first jersey.

The club's mascots are Roy the Lion and Auroara the Lioness, who cheer on the team. The team song, "The Pride of Brisbane Town," is based on Fitzroy's old song. Fans also love to sing special goal songs at games, like John Denver's "Country Roads."

Training Home

Springfield Central Stadium serves as both the training base of the Brisbane Lions and the home ground of Brisbane's AFLW team.

Since 2022, the Brisbane Lions have a fantastic new training and administrative center at Springfield Central Stadium in Ipswich. This means all their training and offices are in one place, and their AFLW and reserves teams can play games there too!

Exciting Rivalries

Brisbane Lions vs. Collingwood

Brisbane playing against Collingwood in a 1960s Fitzroy jumper for the 2003 heritage round

The rivalry between the Lions and Collingwood goes way back! Fitzroy and Collingwood were fierce rivals for over 100 years. The rivalry grew even stronger in the early 2000s when the two clubs played each other in two Grand Finals in a row (2002 and 2003), with the Lions winning both. They met again in the 2023 Grand Final, where Collingwood won, and then the Lions eliminated Collingwood in the 2025 Preliminary Finals.

Brisbane Lions vs. Gold Coast Suns

The Lions have a special rivalry with their fellow Queensland team, the Gold Coast Suns. Their games are called the QClash, and they play twice every season. The best player in each QClash game wins the Marcus Ashcroft Medal. In 2025, the Lions and Suns played their first-ever finals QClash, with the Lions winning.

Brisbane Lions vs. Port Adelaide

The Lions also have a strong rivalry with Port Adelaide. This rivalry became very intense in the early 2000s when both clubs were at the top of the league. They played against each other in many important matches, including the 2001 pre-season Grand Final, a qualifying final, a preliminary final, and the 2004 AFL Grand Final.

Club Achievements

Team Honours

Historical Society at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, covering the histories and records of Fitzroy, the Bears, and the Brisbane Lions.

Individual Awards and Hall of Fame

Many great players have been part of the Brisbane Lions. The club has a "Team of the Decade" to celebrate its best players from its first ten years. Many legends of the game, like Michael Voss and Simon Black, have been inducted into the club's Hall of Fame.

Club Facts

Coaches (Men's Team)

Coaches (Women's Team)

Captains (Men's Team)

Captain	Image	Season(s)	Achievements
				Lynch, AlastairAlastair Lynch		1997–2000 (co-captain)
Voss, MichaelMichael Voss		1997–2000 (co-captain) 2001–2006 (sole captain)	3× AFL premiership captain: 2001, 2002, 2003 2× All-Australian captain: 2002, 2003 4× AFLPA best captain: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Australian Football Hall of Fame
Black, SimonSimon Black		2007–2008 (co-captain)
Brown, JonathanJonathan Brown		2007–2008 (co-captain) 2009–2012 (sole captain) 2013 (co-captain)	2× AFLPA best captain: 2007, 2009 All-Australian vice-captain: 2007
Johnson, ChrisChris Johnson		2007 (co-captain)
Lappin, NigelNigel Lappin		2007–2008 (co-captain)	Australian Football Hall of Fame
Power, LukeLuke Power		2007–2008 (co-captain)
Adcock, JedJed Adcock		2013 (co-captain) 2014 (sole captain)
Rockliff, TomTom Rockliff		2015–2016
Beams, DayneDayne Beams		2017–2018
Zorko, DayneDayne Zorko		2018–2022
Neale, LachieLachie Neale		2023– (co-captain)	2x Ron Barassi Medalist (AFL premiership captain): 2024, 2025
Andrews, HarrisHarris Andrews		2023– (co-captain)	2x Ron Barassi Medalist (AFL premiership captain): 2024, 2025

Captains (Women's Team)

Captain	Image	Season(s)	Achievements
				Zielke, EmmaEmma Zielke		2017–2018, 2020–2021	AFLW premiership captain: 2021
Kaslar, LeahLeah Kaslar		2019
Koenen, BreannaBreanna Koenen		2022–present	AFLW premiership captain: 2023

Match Records (Men's Team)

• Biggest winning margin: 141 points – 29.15 (189) vs. Adelaide 6.12 (48), the Gabba, 24 July 2004
• Biggest losing margin: 139 points – 7.5 (47) vs. St Kilda 28.18 (186), Docklands Stadium, 27 August 2005
• Highest score: 29.15 (189) vs. Adelaide, the Gabba, 24 July 2004
• Lowest score: 2.5 (17) vs. Richmond, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 14 April 2018
• Most goals in a match: Jonathan Brown, ten goals vs. Carlton, the Gabba, 22 July 2007

Teams and Academy

Current Men's Squad

Reserves Team

Brisbane Lions
Names
Former name(s)	Suncoast Lions (2004–2011)
Former nickname(s)	Lion Cubs
2023 season
Home-and-away season	4th
Club details
Founded	1998 (as a reserves side)
Competition	Victorian Football League
Coach	Ben Hudson
Premierships	QAFL (1) 2001 NEAFL (4) 2012 2013 2017 2019
Ground(s)	Springfield Central Stadium
Uniforms
Home

The Brisbane reserves team is where players not selected for the main AFL team play. They currently compete in the Victorian Football League (VFL). This team helps develop young players. They have won five premierships in different leagues over the years. Since 2023, they play their home games at Springfield Central Stadium.

AFL Women's Team

Brisbane Lions AFLW team during the S7 Grand Final at Springfield Stadium

Captain Breanna Koenen and coach Craig Starcevich hold up the 2023 premiership trophy at Ikon Park.

The Brisbane Lions also have a successful women's team in the AFLW competition. They started in the league's first season in 2017. The team has been very strong, reaching the finals in most seasons.

They won their first AFLW premiership in 2021, defeating Adelaide in the Grand Final. In 2023, they won their second premiership by beating North Melbourne. Captain Breanna Koenen was named the best player in that Grand Final. The AFLW team plays its home games at Springfield Central Stadium.

Current Women's Squad

Brisbane Lions Academy

Local Brisbane product and Lions captain Harris Andrews was recruited via the club's Academy as a 17 year old.

The Brisbane Lions Academy helps develop young football talent from age 12 upwards. It was created in 2010 to find and train future AFL and AFLW stars. Many players who now play for the Lions, like captain Harris Andrews, came through this Academy. It also helps players who go on to other clubs or even other sports.

Community Support

The Brisbane Lions actively support important community causes.

See also

In Spanish: Brisbane Lions para niños

• Brisbane Lions players
• Merrett–Murray Medal
• Australian rules football in Queensland
• Sport in Queensland
• Sport in Australia
• Brisbane Broncos