Brisbane Lions facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brisbane Lions |
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| 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 AFLW: Runners-up |
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| Home-and-away season | AFL: 3rd AFLW: 3rd |
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| Leading goalkicker | AFL: Joe Daniher (61) AFLW: Taylor Smith (22) |
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| Best and fairest | AFL: Lachie Neale AFLW: Ally Anderson |
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| Club details | ||||
| Founded | 1 November 1996
From the incorporated AFL operations of: Fitzroy Football Club (formed 1883) Brisbane Bears (formed 1987) |
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| Colours | Maroon Blue Gold | |||
| Competition | AFL: Senior men AFLW: Senior women VFL: Reserves men |
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| Chairman | Andrew Wellington | |||
| CEO | Sam Graham | |||
| Coach | AFL: Chris Fagan AFLW: Craig Starcevich VFL: Ben Hudson |
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| Captain(s) | AFL: Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale AFLW: Breanna Koenen |
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| Premierships | AFL (5)
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| Ground(s) | AFL: The Gabba (1997–present) AFLW: Springfield Central Stadium (8,000) VFL: Springfield Central Stadium |
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| Training ground(s) | Springfield Central Stadium (2022–present) | |||
| Uniforms | ||||
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| Other information | ||||
| Official website | lions.com.au | |||
Current seasonThe Brisbane Lions are a professional Australian rules football club. They are based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The team plays in the Australian Football League (AFL). This is the top competition for the sport. The Brisbane Lions are currently the two-time champions of the AFL. They won the 2024 Grand Final and the 2025 Grand Final.
The Lions started in 1996. This happened when two older clubs joined together. These were the Brisbane Bears (from 1987) and the Fitzroy club (from 1883). The Lions' team colors are maroon, blue, and gold. These colors come from both original clubs.
The team plays its home games at the Gabba stadium in Brisbane. Their training and main offices are at Springfield Central Stadium. The Lions have been very successful this century. They have won five premierships, more than any other club. They won three in a row from 2001 to 2003. They also won in 2024 and 2025.
The Lions also have a team in the AFL Women's competition. They started in 2017. This team has played in five Grand Finals. They won the premiership in 2021 and 2023. They also have a men's reserve team in the Victorian Football League.
Contents
The Brisbane Lions' Story
How the Brisbane Lions Began
The Fitzroy Football Club started in Melbourne in 1883. They quickly became a strong team. They played in maroon and blue. Fitzroy won a championship in 1895. Then, they helped create the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1897.
Fitzroy won seven more championships as the "Maroons." They won another in 1944 as the "Gorillas." Many great players, like Haydn Bunton Sr., played for Fitzroy. He won three Brownlow Medals.
In 1957, the club changed its nickname to the "Lions." But they faced tough times. They lost their home ground in 1965. This led to many years of losing games and financial problems. By 1996, Fitzroy was struggling greatly.
The Brisbane Bears team was formed in 1987. They first played their home games at Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast. In their early years, the Bears found it hard to win games. People sometimes called them "The Bad News Bears."
The club also had money problems. To survive, they started playing games in Brisbane in 1991. By 1993, all their home games were at the Gabba. This move helped a lot. More fans joined, and attendance grew.
The Bears made the finals in 1995 and 1996. They had exciting young players like Michael Voss and Jason Akermanis. But they still faced big financial challenges.
In 1996, the AFL decided that Fitzroy needed to merge with another club. Fitzroy joined with the Brisbane Bears. This created the new team, the Brisbane Lions. The new club kept its home at the Gabba.
The Brisbane Lions officially started on November 1, 1996. They joined the national competition in 1997. The team's identity, including its logo and song, was based on Fitzroy's history. Eight Fitzroy players joined the new Brisbane Lions team. This merger brought together the history of two clubs.
The Brisbane Lions' Journey
Early Years: 1997–2000
In their first year, 1997, the Lions made it to the finals. This was a great start for a new team. They won their first finals games against Carlton and the Western Bulldogs. But they lost to the Kangaroos in a preliminary final.
In 1998, the team finished last. This led to a change in coaches. Leigh Matthews became the new coach. He was a legendary player. Matthews helped the team connect with its Fitzroy past. He also brought new discipline.
The team quickly improved under Matthews. In 1999, they went from last place to fourth. They even set a record for the highest half-time score in AFL history. During this time, key players like Luke Power, Jonathan Brown, and Simon Black joined the club. These players would become very important.
Winning Three Championships in a Row: 2001–2004
The Lions had an amazing run from 2001 to 2003. They won three AFL championships in a row! This is called a "three-peat." It made them one of the greatest teams in AFL history.
In 2001, they played against Essendon in the Grand Final. Brisbane was the underdog. But they fought hard and won by 26 points. Shaun Hart was named the best player in the Grand Final.
In 2002, the Lions won a club-record 17 games. They faced Collingwood in the Grand Final. Brisbane won a tough game by 9 points in wet weather.
The 2003 Grand Final was a rematch against Collingwood. The Lions played incredibly well. They won by 50 points, securing their third championship in a row! Simon Black had an amazing game.
In 2004, the Lions reached their fourth Grand Final in a row. They played against Port Adelaide. Port Adelaide won this game. It was the first Grand Final where both teams were from outside Victoria.
Rebuilding the Team: 2005–2016
After their amazing success, the Lions had some tougher years. They missed the finals for a few seasons. In 2008, Coach Leigh Matthews resigned after 10 successful years. Former player and captain Michael Voss became the new coach in 2009.
In 2009, the team made it to the semi-finals. They had a thrilling comeback win against Carlton. In 2013, they won a famous game against Geelong. They came back from 52 points down to win by 5 points. This was called the "Miracle on Grass."
Later in 2013, Michael Voss's contract was not renewed. Justin Leppitsch, another former premiership player, became coach in 2014. During this time, legendary captain Jonathan Brown retired. This meant no players from the three-peat era were left. Leppitsch coached until 2016.
New Beginnings with Chris Fagan: 2017–Present
In 2017, Chris Fagan became the new senior coach. The team started to improve. They showed signs of becoming a strong team again.
In 2019, the Lions had a fantastic season. They finished second on the ladder and made the finals for the first time in 10 years. They reached the preliminary final in 2020. In 2021, they finished in the top four again.
In 2022, the Lions had another exciting finals run. They won two close games against Richmond and Melbourne. This took them to another preliminary final.
Three Grand Finals in a Row and Two More Championships: 2023–Present
The Lions continued their strong performance in 2023. They finished second on the ladder. They made it to the Grand Final for the first time since 2004. They played against Collingwood in a very close game. Unfortunately, they lost by just 4 points.
The 2024 season started tough for the Lions. But they made an incredible comeback. They won nine games in a row at one point. They made it to the finals for the sixth year in a row. They had an amazing finals journey. They came back from 44 points down against Greater Western Sydney. Then they beat Geelong to reach the Grand Final.
In the 2024 AFL Grand Final, the Lions played against Sydney. They won by a huge 60 points! This was their first championship since 2003. Will Ashcroft won the Norm Smith Medal as the best player in the Grand Final.
In 2025, the Lions secured finals for a club-record seventh straight season. They reached their third Grand Final in a row. They played against Geelong again in the 2025 AFL Grand Final. The Lions won by 47 points, claiming their second consecutive premiership!
Club Support and Identity
Membership and Sponsorship
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The number of fans who became members of the Brisbane Lions grew a lot. This happened especially during their championship years in the early 2000s. The club still has many supporters in Victoria.
The Royal Derby Hotel in Fitzroy is a special place for Victorian Lions fans. They watch games there. The Lions Historical Society also has exhibits about the club's history.
Connection with Fitzroy Football Club
The original Fitzroy Football Club still exists today. It plays in a local league. They kept their old jumper, song, and home ground. This helps keep the Fitzroy history alive. The Brisbane Lions have worked to keep a strong connection with Fitzroy.
Since 2002, the Brisbane Lions have used the initials BBFFC on their jerseys. This stands for their official name, Brisbane Bears-Fitzroy Football Club. The Lions also wear a special red Fitzroy-style jersey for some games.
After winning championships, the Lions brought their trophies to Fitzroy's old home ground. This shows respect for their history. There was a disagreement about the club's logo in 2009. But the clubs worked it out. They agreed to use both the new and old logos. The Lions now use the traditional Fitzroy lion logo on their playing jerseys.
Club Symbols
The Brisbane Lions have had different emblems over the years. The current emblem features the golden Fitzroy Lion.
The team has different jerseys:
- Home Jersey: Mostly maroon with a blue section and a golden Fitzroy Lion.
- Away Jersey: Mostly red with a blue section and a golden Fitzroy Lion. This is based on Fitzroy's last colors.
- Clash Jersey: Mostly gold with a maroon Fitzroy lion. This is worn when playing against certain teams.
The club's mascot is Roy the Lion. He is named after the nickname for Fitzroy fans. In 2021, they also introduced a lioness mascot named Auroara.
The team's song is "The Pride of Brisbane Town." It is based on the old Fitzroy song. The music is from "La Marseillaise," the French national anthem.
Training Facilities
For many years, the club trained at the Gabba. But because of the cricket season, they had to train at different places. In 2022, the Lions moved to Springfield Central Stadium. This is a modern facility in Ipswich. Now, the club has one permanent home for training and offices. Their AFLW and reserve teams also play games there.
Team Rivalries
Collingwood
Fitzroy and Collingwood were big rivals for over 100 years. They were both strong teams in the early VFL days. The rivalry with the Brisbane Lions grew in the early 2000s. This was when the two clubs played in two Grand Finals in a row (2002 and 2003). The Lions won both of those games. They met again in the 2023 Grand Final, where Collingwood won.
Gold Coast Suns
The Brisbane Lions have a rivalry with the Gold Coast Suns. They are another AFL team from Queensland. Their games are called the QClash. They play twice each season. The winner of the game gets the "QClash Trophy." The best player in the game wins the Marcus Ashcroft Medal.
Port Adelaide
The Port Adelaide Football Club joined the AFL in 1997. In the early 2000s, the rivalry between the Lions and Port Adelaide was very strong. Both teams were at the top of the league. They played against each other in many important games. This included the 2001 pre-season Grand Final and the 2004 Grand Final.
Club Achievements
Team Honours
| Championships | |||
| Competition | Team | Wins | Seasons Won |
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| Australian Football League | Seniors | 5 | 2001, 2002, 2003, 2024, 2025 |
| AFL Women's | Seniors | 2 | 2021, 2023 |
| Reserves | Reserves | 5 | 2001, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2019 |
Team of the Decade
In 2006, the club announced its Team of the Decade. This team recognized the best players from the first ten years of the Brisbane Lions.
| Team of the Decade | ||||||||||||
| Backs: | Chris Johnson | Mal Michael | Darryl White | |||||||||
| Half-Backs: | Marcus Ashcroft | Justin Leppitsch | Chris Scott | |||||||||
| Midfielders: | Nigel Lappin | Michael Voss (c) | Brad Scott | |||||||||
| Half-Forwards: | Jason Akermanis | Jonathan Brown | Craig McRae | |||||||||
| Forwards: | Luke Power | Alastair Lynch | Daniel Bradshaw | |||||||||
| Followers: | Clark Keating | Simon Black | Shaun Hart | |||||||||
| Interchange: | Martin Pike | Tim Notting | Jamie Charman | Richard Champion | ||||||||
| Coach: | Leigh Matthews | |||||||||||
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Club Facts
Coaches
The Brisbane Lions have had several coaches. Leigh Matthews led the men's team to three championships. Chris Fagan has coached the men's team since 2017, leading them to two championships. Craig Starcevich has coached the women's team since 2017, leading them to two championships.
Captains
Many great players have captained the Brisbane Lions. Michael Voss was a co-captain and then sole captain for many years. He led the team to their first three AFL premierships. More recently, Lachie Neale and Harris Andrews have been co-captains, leading the team to the 2024 premiership. For the women's team, Emma Zielke and Breanna Koenen have been important captains, leading them to their AFLW premierships.
Match Records (Men's Team)
- Biggest winning margin: 141 points – against Adelaide, the Gabba, 24 July 2004
- Biggest losing margin: 139 points – against St Kilda, Docklands Stadium, 27 August 2005
- Highest score: 29.15 (189) – against Adelaide, the Gabba, 24 July 2004
- Lowest score: 2.5 (17) – against Richmond, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 14 April 2018
- Most goals in a match by one player: Jonathan Brown, ten goals against Carlton, the Gabba, 22 July 2007
Players
Current Squad (Men's)
| Senior list | Rookie list | Coaching staff | |||||||
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Head coach
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Updated: 27 September 2025 |
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Reserves Team
| Brisbane Lions | ||
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| 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)
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| Ground(s) | Springfield Central Stadium | |
| Uniforms | ||
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The Brisbane Lions reserves team plays in the Victorian Football League (VFL). This team helps develop players who are not selected for the main AFL team.
Reserves Team History
The reserves team started in 1998. They were first known as the "Lion Cubs." They won their first championship in 2001. From 2004, they were called the Suncoast Lions Football Club.
In 2011, the team joined the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL). They won four championships in this league. After the NEAFL ended, the reserves team moved to the VFL in 2021. Since 2023, they play their home games at Springfield Central Stadium.
AFL Women's Team
The Brisbane Lions started an AFL Women's (AFLW) team in 2017. They were one of the first eight teams in the league. Craig Starcevich became the team's first head coach. Emma Zielke was the first captain.
The Lions AFLW team has been very successful. They reached the Grand Final in their first season, 2017. They also played in the Grand Final in 2018 and 2022 (Season 7). They won their first championship in 2021. They won their second championship in 2023, beating North Melbourne. Captain Breanna Koenen was named the best player in the 2023 Grand Final.
The team plays its home games at Springfield Central Stadium in Ipswich.
Current Squad (Women's)
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Head coach
Assistant coaches
Updated: 27 September 2025 |
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Brisbane Lions Academy
The Brisbane Lions Academy helps young players develop their skills. It started in 2010. The Academy works with over 200 young players, aged 12 and up.
The Academy's teams compete in junior championships. The Under 16 women's team won their first championship in 2023.
Notable Academy Members
Many players from the Academy have gone on to play for the Brisbane Lions. These include men's team captain Harris Andrews and other players like Eric Hipwood and Keidean Coleman. For the women's team, players like Mikayla Pauga and Sophie Conway came from the Academy. Some Academy members have also become successful in other sports.
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
