Brisbane Lions clinch back-to-back AFL premiership in a record-breaking grand final celebration
Lions dominate Geelong 18.14 (122) to 11.9 (75) at the MCG as Charlie Cameron fires four goals and Norm Smith Medal goes to Will Ashcroft
Brisbane Lions sealed back-to-back AFL premierships with a commanding 18.14 (122) to 11.9 (75) victory over Geelong in front of a crowd of 100,022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. The win gave Brisbane its fifth flag this century and cemented coach Chris Fagan’s rebuild as a championship project after a dramatic rise from a nadir in 2017 to the league’s pinnacle.
The Lions grabbed control in the second half after a tight opening two quarters, with a six-minute surge that turned a close contest into a runaway. Lachie Neale, deployed from the bench at halftime after returning from a calf injury, sparked the run with 17 disposals and seven clearances after entering the game. Charlie Cameron was central to Brisbane’s late surge, kicking three of his four goals in the third quarter as the Lions flipped the momentum. Will Ashcroft was voted Norm Smith Medalist for best afield, accumulating 32 disposals and providing the engine room for Brisbane’s dominance. Neale’s return helped the Lions break the game open as they finished with eight of the last nine goals in the third and fourth terms to put Geelong away.
On the field, Brisbane’s precision was underscored by standout performances across several players. Cameron finished with four goals, providing the finishing for a Lions forward line that repeatedly cut through Geelong’s defense. In midfield, Ashcroft worked through 32 touches, while Hugh McCluggage contributed 25 disposals and four goals to seal the win. Jaspa Fletcher added 29 touches as Brisbane’s engine room outworked a Geelong midfield that fought hard but could not sustain a comeback after halftime. Geelong’s Max Holmes produced 33 disposals and Ollie Dempsey kicked four goals, but the Cats were unable to match Brisbane’s scoring overhaul after the long break. Jeremy Cameron, held goalless and struggling with a right arm issue after a collision with Patrick Dangerfield, could not replicate his usual influence, a factor Brisbane leveraged to constrain Geelong’s scoring.
The game’s momentum swung decisively after halftime as the Lions took advantage of a rested team and a tireless chase. Geelong held a brief lead in the third quarter, but Brisbane answered with a burst that began a run of eight goals from six minutes of play. The result extended Brisbane’s status as a modern AFL powerhouse, demonstrating a depth of talent and a culture that has produced three straight grand finals and two premierships since Fagan took over in 2017, a period many compare to the Leigh Matthews era of early 2000s. The Lions’ success has also been tied to their sponsorship by XXXX beer, a relationship that became a well-known part of their identity during celebrations and post-match recaps.
Geelong’s captain Patrick Dangerfield acknowledged the Lions’ display, saying his team could hold its heads high after a valiant effort but that the better side won on the day. Lions co-captain Harris Andrews and veteran Darcy Gardiner were cited for quiet leadership in defense, with Andrews earning praise for his role in lockdown work that helped Brisbane withstand Geelong’s early pressure. The Cats’ final statistics reflected a tough afternoon, with Cameron unable to find the big scoring impact he had in the competition’s earlier rounds.
The victory also carried a ceremonial weight for the club’s broader legacy. Fans celebrated outside the MCG and planned gatherings in Yarra Park as the team prepared to honor its Fitzroy Lions roots in inner-Micol suburb Melbourne on Sunday. Club officials and players referenced the journey from a difficult period to a peak season, emphasizing culture and resilience as central to the Lions’ sustained success.
In defeat, Geelong coach Chris Scott congratulated Brisbane on a superior performance, noting that while the Cats had fought through the season’s challenges, the Lions delivered when it mattered most. It marked Geelong’s second loss from four grand finals under Scott in 15 years and their third grand final defeat in seven deciders this century, underscoring the evolving balance of power within the league. As the celebrations continued in the sheds, the post-match narrative centered on Brisbane’s ascent and the promise of their ongoing premiership window ahead of a demanding schedule in the years to come.
The Lions’ latest triumph solidifies a period of dominance that has redefined the club’s status in Australian football this century. With two flags in the last three grand finals, a culture described by Andrews as “special” and a leadership group that has navigated adversity, Brisbane is positioned as a perennial contender in the years ahead. The immediate focus will be on translating grand-final performance into sustained success, a challenge the club is uniquely equipped to meet given its depth, structures, and recent track record.