Big thanks to friend of the newsletter and Brisbane supporter Perri, who helped me out with this preview. They’re on Twitter at @PerriW2345.
2024 ladder position: 3rd (9 wins, 2 losses – Grand Finalists)
2024 best-and-fairest: Ally Anderson
Senior coach: Craig Starcevich
Story of the season
Brisbane began the season as reigning Premiers, and with ambitions to be the first AFLW side to go back-to-back. However, questions about the Lions’ mental fortitude against dominant sides began almost immediately after a resounding defeat to North Melbourne in Round 1. An impressive win against Melbourne the following week – the highlight of which was Ally Anderson’s league-record 42 disposals – kicked off a six-game winning streak, which included a thrilling (Mateo edit: and rather controversial!) two-point win over Adelaide. That set the tone for another top four finish and another shot at glory.
An accurate performance in front of goal helped them narrowly defeat Hawthorn in the first week of finals. As a result of this fiery clash in a newfound rivalry, the AFL Integrity Unit investigated a number of incidents during the game. Another prelim saw the Lions once again take on their arch rivals, the Crows. The Lions enjoyed a thrilling win, with Belle Dawes kicking the sealer with six minutes of play to go, and progressed to their record-extending sixth Grand Final. Alas, it wasn’t to be – North Melbourne ultimately earnt their Grand Final redemption, keeping Brisbane to their lowest score since Round 1, 2022 (the first season). The Lions would end the year with five players in the All-Australian side – Anderson, Dawes, Bre Koenen, Sophie Conway and Taylor Smith. But one suspects they’d all have traded in their individual honours for a different result in the last game of the season.
Summary of game style
Brisbane’s game is built on solid foundations – contested strength (they ranked second among all sides last season for contested possession differential) and pressure (second for turnover differential). Those foundations enable head coach Craig Starcevich and Head of Women’s Footy Breanna Brock to do some interesting things to gain an edge. Much like the AFL team, Brisbane’s players are comfortable with switching roles in-game – it wasn’t unusual to see any of Koenen, Poppy Boltz, and Jade Ellenger change roles. This asset allowed Brisbane to maintain flexibility and adapt to the specific challenges posed by their opponents. Perhaps the most notable example was last season’s prelim, which saw Ellenger tag Adelaide superstar Ebony Marinoff, Courtney Hodder break lines with their electric speed in the midfield, and Cathy Svarc pushing up to half-forward.
Brisbane’s speed and fitness allows them to increase scoring opportunities when in possession and effectively prevent their opposition turning over the ball and scoring. This style of play, developed by Starcevich and Brock, has been a staple of Brisbane’s continued success since the very first season of the AFLW.
List changes
In:
Claudia Wright (2024 AFLW Draft – Pick #16)
Lilly Baker (2024 AFLW Draft – Pick #39)
Neasa Dooley (rookie – County Kildare, Ladies Gaelic Football Association)
Out:
Luka Yoshida-Martin (delisted)
Kate Lutkins (retired)
Jade Pregelj (retired)
List profile
Following the 2023 Premiership, the Lions saw a huge turnover of their list. This time around, Grand Final defeat translated to minimal turnover and maximum stability. The club hierarchy clearly believes they have the tools and players to contend again in 2025. Their continued success in the AFLW has been achieved by having a steady system of players in the best 21 while steadily blooding new players into the team (like Charlotte Mullins and Poppy Boltz in 2023, and Evie Long and Sophie Peters last season) to give them experience of playing in a successful side while getting up to speed with the game.
Led by Koenen and co-Vice Captain Nat Grider, the Lions have a large depth of defenders in their squad. The smashing Brisbane received from North Melbourne in last season’s Grand Final could be the catalyst for early changes to the backline. The midfield, meanwhile, is a star-studded affair that can be changed at whim within games. Ally Anderson, Belle Dawes, Orla O’Dwyer, Charlie Mullins make up the brunt of the midfield with Evie Long and Sophie Conway rotating through as wingers during the game.
Taylor Smith and Dakota Davidson are the two timbers of Brisbane’s forward line. They’re surrounded by a plethora of gifted small and medium forwards such as Hodder, Hampson, and Ruby Svarc (among others). New Irish recruit Neesa Dooley is likely to slot right into the coveted centre half-forward position. Contested marks were a clear issue last season (Brisbane ranked ninth for contested marks, and eighth for marks inside 50), which Brisbane will need to improve if they’re to take that last step.
Line rankings
Defence: Above Average
Midfield: Elite
Forward: Above Average
Ruck: Elite
The case for optimism
For most of AFLW history, the Lions have contended for finals at the pointy end of the season, winning two Premierships from six grand finals. With a steady best team of players, the promising addition of Neasa Dooley, multiple youngsters waiting in the wings, the Lions remain one of the best teams in the comp. There’s simply no reason they shouldn’t again be right there when it matters.
The case for pessimism
The 2025 season will see the AFLW introduce the six-six-six rule fixturing principle, which will result in Brisbane having one of the toughest possible draws. In 2025, the Lions will play the other seven finalists from 2024, along with some potentially tricky opponents such as Carlton and Melbourne. It could easily be the difference between a top-two finish and a home Qualifying Final, or potentially missing out on the top four entirely.
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Breakout player
In 2025, there is a clear opportunity for Neasa Dooley to follow in the footsteps of her fellow Irish Lions Orla O’Dwyer and Jenn Dunne by slotting right into Brisbane’s best 21. Brisbane struggled with contested marks in their forward line last year due to injury and illness impacting Dakota Davidson. If Dooley can make the half-forward position her own, it’ll dramatically improve Brisbane’s chances of contending for the flag again.
Most important player
Ally Anderson is one of the AFLW’s best and most prolific midfielders, and boasts one of the game’s most impressive resumes: 3x All-Australian, 4x Brisbane Best & Fairest winner, and 2017 AFLW Best & Fairest winner. All going well, she (and Ebony Marinoff) will play their 100th games in Round 7. Brisbane will need her at her brilliant best if they’re to go deep again.
Biggest question to answer
I’m going to cheat and ask two: firstly, can Brisbane become a better marking team? If so, they’ll become a more multi-dimensional attacking threat and make them more effective at defending in possession. And secondly – can Brisbane hang tough when their opposition is on top? The list is clearly good enough to contend – but the side has been prone to the occasional mis-step in high pressure situations.
What success looks like
Simple: returning to the Grand Final and beginning the work of reverting that unseemly 2-4 record in the big dance.
In a nutshell
With minimal list changes, a healthy competition for spots in the best 21, and multiple successful styles of gameplay, there should be no doubt that we will see Brisbane at the pointy end of the season contending for finals and, in all likelihood, the flag once again.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments.