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After making the finals for the sixth consecutive year running, Chris Fagan’s Lions have finally cracked the flag code to become the 2024 premiers. And they did it the hard way, playing all fours weeks of final - but you wouldn’t know it, with several emerging stars, an underrated gun forward and the usual suspects all pulling together one hell of a grand final performance. Every Brisbane player rated out of 10 from the Grand Final against Sydney.
Watch every game of the NAB AFL Women’s Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today > Grand Final as it happened: KINGS OF THE JUNGLE! Lions’ 21-yr drought ends as Swans cop another MCG massacre Pre-game entertainment: Fireworks as Katy Perry makes MCG roar..
. on a giant vacuum? AFL Grand Final sprint: Fan-favourite Magpie pips Saints young gun in instant classic final ‘Lot on the line for him’: Swans’ chief agitator, eccentric young Lion bookend GF spice 1. Kai Lohmann Kicked Brisbane’s first two goals of the game and brought the Lions RIGHT back into the contest after a sloppy start.
Kicked his third at the start of the second term and nearly had FOUR in the first quarter and a half, but was just off-line from a tough angle. “I didn’t think he’d have so many (big moments) this game,” Channel 7’s Dale Thomas said at half time on the 21-year-old. Finished with four goals, 15 disposals and one goal assist.
My god is the big stage made for Cobra Kai. 8 3. Joe Daniher Missed the second set shot of the game, kicking across the face in a goal that would’ve rewarded Brisbane’s fast start.
Impressively had seven score involvements with his eight seven disposals of the afternoon, and kicked truly the second time around halfway through the second quarter. Inaccurate kicking cost him what could’ve been one hell of a career send-off, if reports over his undecided future come to fruition. But don’t let that fool you - the 201cm key forward was great - and it was the full Joe Daniher on display.
Kicked his second goal with 97 seconds to go in the grand final in the most fitting of finishes. 7 4. Callum Ah Chee Got the Lions’ first AND third goal assist with a selfless pass off to Lohmann closer to goal, before putting his head over the ball to dish out a handball to McCluggage running past.
Similar to Daniher, had five score involvements with his first seven disposals. Kicked two goals in both the second and third quarter and played his role to absolute perfection. Missed a tough set shot in the final quarter that cost him the perfect 10.
9 5. Josh Dunkley Was tasked with holding superstar Isaac Heeney accountable. Certainly had the better of him in the first quarter, before Heeney fought back in the second - but it didn’t show given Brisbane’s goal-kicking rampage.
“The Dunkley-Heeney match-up’s really working for Brisbane at the moment.” Channel 7’s Matthew Richardson said at the start of second quarter. Absolutely obliterated Heeney when it comes to the crux of it, in what looked such a tough job.
Fished with 20 disposals and 12 tackles. 9 6. Hugh McCluggage Of all the Lions players, McCluggage got off to the hottest of starts – embodied with a clean and swift finish for the Lions’ third of the day.
Went into the first break with nine disposals, four marks and a goal. “His ball use has been a real highlight,” Channel 7’s Dale Thomas noted at half time. Cooled down in the second half, but played such an important role when the game was on the line at the start.
Absolutely deserves this flag. 8 7. Jarrod Berry Wow, what a story after his heartbreak last year.
Started like an absolute house on fire in the first term, before nailing a set shot from 45 metres out on an angle with five minutes to go before half-time. Brought his A-game again in the third term as the Lions officially put the Swans away once and for all. Finished with 20 disposals and 10 marks in an excellent performance, and now has a premiership that is so well deserved.
8 8. Will Ashcroft The youngest Norm Smith winner in V/AFL history! He really got going in the second term when Brisbane found their groove; which is remarkable to say given he had already touched the ball eight times to quarter time. Had three inside 50s in the second quarter and alongside Neale, had nine disposals.
“He’s been outstanding,” Channel 7’s Joel Selwood said at the main break. Wrapped up his Norm Smith Medal with arguably the game-sealing goal in the third quarter - roving beautifully from a forward 50 throw-in and snapping on the run truly. 9 9.
Lachie Neale Led the match for disposals alongside McCluggage for the first quarter with nine – eight of which were handballs. Had a nice goal line save early in the second quarter, and amassed the possessions from there on in. Had a lot of the ball in the defensive half, waxing well with Ashcroft who played more in attack.
Finished the match with 34 disposals, 11 score involvements and nine clearances, playing with a crook ankle. After two heartbreak grand finals, it was third-time lucky for the dual Brownlow Medallist. 9 13.
Logan Morris Strong contested mark on the far wing was his first big moment of the game with six minutes to go in the first quarter. Kicked his first (and the Lions’ sixth unanswered goal) on the edge of half time, and stood up big time in the second quarter. Was subbed out with halfway to go in the last quarter, and finished the match with two majors, 10 disposals and two contested marks.
Came onto the scene quickly in 2024, and now he’s a premiership player! 7 15. Dayne Zorko Copped the James Jordan tag – but still started quickly before simmering heading into quarter time. Had a 50 metre penalty against him in favour of Robbie Fox, but from there he was brilliant as Jordan’s tag moved elsewhere.
Had 26 disposals, 10 marks, seven intercepts and six tackles by full time. Often seen as the pesky antagonist, but Zorko well and truly deserves a flag in 2024 - this year more than any. 8 16.
Cam Rayner Had a quiet start, and didn’t get his first touch until just before the 25-minute mark of the first term. Got his mojo back after quarter time, and really got busy in the premiership quarter - snapping a nice left-foot goal from set shot after flying high for his second contested mark. Ended with 16 disposals to go with his goal, and made up for an underwhelming game last season.
Was quiet when the game was on the line, but was right in amongst it to help put the nail in Sydney’s coffin. 6 23. Charlie Cameron Missed an easy set shot on goal early, but made up for it with two excellent tackles inside the first five minutes of the game.
And with 15 seconds to go before quarter time, got himself truly into the net positives with a snap set shot from the left forward pocket – finishing off with an excellent celebration. Was certainly flaky with ball in hand, but was a ball of energy all day. After grand final heartbreak twice - like Neale, it’s third-time lucky! 5 26.
Conor McKenna The 28-year-old was selected as the starting substitute for the fourth week in a row. Came on with exactly half a quarter to go, and finished with three touches and two marks from 10 per cent game time. N/A 28.
Jaspa Fletcher Was busy early with ball in hand – and importantly – effective. Maintained his strong disposal efficiency throughout the match, and nailed his outside ball role. Hard to argue with 18 disposals and seven marks, and was so reliable when the game was on the line.
Finished with a disposal efficiency of 83.3 per cent, and after playing all 27 games this year is a premiership player in AFL game number 41! 7 30. Eric Hipwood Gave off a good handball off to Lohmann for his second goal of the game, but his big highlight came in the second quarter - dance-stepping around Dane Rampe before threading the needle with a drop-punt from the pocket on the wrong side! Certainly wasn’t quiet in the first half by any stretch of the imagination, but was just surrounded by so many teammates that played well.
Gave Ashcroft an excellent tap out of mid-air which set up a shot-on-goal early in the third term. Was quiet, but as noted, his involvement early on was impressive, inspirational. His epic goal gives him an extra point.
5 31. Harris Andrews Had nine disposals and four intercepts to half time, and simultaneously gave Logan McDonald absolutely nothing - who had one touch and a mark at half time. “He’s been rock solid, especially in the first half when the game was hot,” Channel 7’s Brian Taylor said of Andrews halfway through the final quarter.
Was the general down back as always, racking up 10 marks from 16 disposals - seven of which were intercepts. 7 32. Darcy Fort Had the five disposals to quarter time, but just one hitout; albeit in a term that really didn’t have many stoppages.
Channel 7’s Luke Hodge noted that the 31-year-old was “holding his own” against Grundy early in the second quarter. Missed a shot from the 50 metre arc amid Brisbane’s second quarter flurry, but all-in-all was commendable after not playing any form of football for three straight weeks. Did injured teammate Oscar McInerney justice, and finished with 12 disposals, 20 hitouts and five score involvements.
6 33. Zac Bailey Had nine disposals, four marks and a goal assist to half time in a solid showing - which still remarkably was one of the quieter performances for the Lions up to that point. 17 disposals, seven marks and two goal assists is a game any coach would love on face value from their half-forwards.
Absolutely deserves a flag after a strong showing in last year’s loss. 7 35. Ryan Lester Wow, what a story! Has been king of the of the one-year deals at the Lions, while also being a staple in defence.
Was a marking machine in the first half, leading the match for them alongside Joe Daniher with six. Tried to intervene Luke Parker’s ‘tag’ on Harris Andrews early. Like his defensive counterparts, had plenty of marks in what was an incredible display of uncontested control.
Finished with 11 marks and 14 possessions at an 80 per cent disposal efficiency. Stepped up big time this year in defence as the club dealt with injuries, and deserves this as much as anyone. 7 37.
Brandon Starcevich One of, if not the greatest defensive turnaround in back-to-back grand finals by any single player. Was shown up in last year’s big dance by Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill, but this year was absolutely in the running to win his own. Had an intercept mark inside the first 45 seconds of the game, and was on fire for the rest of the term – with the exception of a small blip that led to Tom Papley’s first goal for the day.
Was absolutely everywhere in defence for the Lions in the first half, and led the match for intercept possessions at the main break alongside Sydney’s Lewis Melican. Doesn’t often get the praise he deserves, but put on one of the all-time masterclasses on the biggest of stages today. Finished with a game-high intercepts.
.. so good.
9 40. Jack Payne Had the four disposals and three marks to half time, but beyond that wasn’t troubled down back. Held Joel Amartey down in defence exceptionally, with the rival Swan having no impact on the game.
Fought back magnificently after getting a bath from Jesse Hogan in the Lions’ semi-final against GWS: an excellent story of redemption. 7 43. Noah Answerth Seemingly conceded the first goal of the game with a match-up on Will Hayward through the day.
Got involved higher up the ground as the game went on, and finished with 15 disposals at 87 per cent. From the first quarter, was all over the 25-year-old South Australian, and fuelled the Lions down back as good as anyone bar Starcevich. 8 44.
Darcy Wilmot Had eight disposals and three marks to half time, and finished with 15 touches and eight marks. Had a couple of crucial contests where he put his head over the ball and won it for his side. May not have a stat line as stuffed as others, but his actions spoke so loudly.
One of the young players of the future that Lions fans will be so grateful to have on their side. 6.
