It was a year full of highlights for Brisbane fans, with three seasons crammed across 44 action-packed, footy filled weekends.
As 2022 draws to a close, we look at some of our favourite moments from the year.
Maggie’s Surprise Debut
With a Preliminary Final berth on offer, Brisbane were heading into their home Qualifying Final against Collingwood unchanged.
Enter a late change, which saw a fairy tale debut for Maggie Harmer.
Harmer was listed as an emergency leading into the Gabba clash before Head Coach, Craig Starcevich revealed the news in the Lions pre-game meeting.
Surprised and overwhelmed, the 19-year-old burst into tears as her teammates gathered around her.
Presented her guernsey by Club legend, Emma Zielke, Harmer went on to gather six touches and helped her team to a 50-point thumping of Collingwood, booking their place in the Preliminary Final.
Tay Smith Makes History at the MCG
In a day they’d rather forget, there was a silver lining in the Lions heartbreaking Preliminary Final loss in Season 6.
In the AFLW’s historic first competition game at the MCG, Tay Smith recovered from a dropped mark before gathering composure and kicking the Lions first ever AFLW goal on the ‘G.
Cam & Noah Make Their Long-Awaited Returns
While they got through a couple of practice games unscathed, Round 1 was the biggest sigh of relief for Brisbane fans as Cam Rayner and Noah Answerth successfully returned to the field.
After rupturing his ACL in a pre-season match against Gold Coast in 2021, Rayner felt like a new recruit by the time he returned against Port Adelaide.
Similar can be said for Answerth, who prior to Round 1 this year, hadn’t played since Round 17 2020.
After a frustrating struggle with ongoing groin injuries, the 23-year-old said it was two steps forward, three steps back for much of his rehab.
“I’d run 10km sessions and just overload my groins and I’d quickly go backwards because of it. That happened three times.”
But with the frustration behind him, both Answerth and Rayner were the good news stories in Round 1, with both playing nearly every game of the 2022 season.
Bailey’s 6fa
On a wet Metricon Stadium, Zac Bailey put on a masterclass, finishing with a bag of six goals from 17 disposals in a Marcus Ashcroft Medal winning performance.
Bailey was simply irresistible, turning quarter and half chances into goals to snuff out any hope the home team had of springing an upset.
The 22-year-old kicked two goals in the first quarter, two in the second and one each in the third and fourth, barely needing a slither of daylight for any of them.
Bailey won his first Marcus Ashcroft Medal for his outing, joining Charlie Dixon, Charlie Cameron and Ash McGrath as the only players to kick six goals in QClash history.
His performance was so good you had to watch most of what he did three or four times to believe it was real.
His third goal midway through the second quarter was the most freakish of the afternoon. He hovered around a forward 50 stoppage, scooped the ball up in his right hand, and without bringing it back to his left hand to steady, put it on to his right boot to curl a snap perfectly between the sticks – truly an astounding goal.
Fort the World Record Holder
Darcy Fort hit the ground running since arriving at the Club at the start of 2022, but it was his inability to miss in front of goal that caught the attention of the AFL world.
In Brisbane’s 24-point win over Sydney, Fort notched the record of most goals without a behind with his 12thstraight goal.
While the commentators had a field day, categorising Fort’s effort as a ‘new world record’, it spoke volumes on Fort’s impact in his first season as a Lion.
Taking the weight off previously sole ruck, Oscar McInerney, Fort offered a dynamic tall option for Chris Fagan and looked right at home at AFL level.
Hippy Returns
A year is a long time in footy, and Eric Hipwood’s absence after a cruel ACL rupture was felt Club wide.
It was another Metricon heartache in Round 17 2021 when Hipwood launched for a mark before landing awkwardly and leaving the field.
And while the wait felt like forever for Lions fans, the 25-year-old returned in Round 9 at Adelaide Oval, donning the long-sleeve and a new, shorter haircut.
But he’d have to wait two weeks before kicking his first goal back, poetically a beauty from the pocket in front of a Gabba crowd.
Matho Diagnosed with Leather Poisoning
It was the Rhys Mathieson show in Round 11 of the VFL, when the 25-year-old contracted leather poisoning in the Lions 62-point thumping of the Northern Bullants.
In what can be described as a ‘clinic’, Mathieson’s stats were mind-blowing.
‘Matho’ collected a whopping 49 disposals, 19 clearances, nine marks and a goal in a memorable performance.
Mathieson would later get the call up into Chris Fagan’s 22 in Round 17, playing the remainder of the season in the AFL side.
Hugh’s Day Out
On a cold Saturday afternoon in the Nation’s capital, it was Hugh McCluggage who took charge against a determined GWS side.
With Dayne Zorko, Daniel Rich and Jarrod Berry all failing to overcome injury for the clash, the responsibility fell to the likes of McCluggage, Lachie Neale and Rhys Mathieson to get the job done.
McCluggage was on another level, kicking an equal career-high four goals to go with an equal game-high 29 disposals, six score involvements and 542 metres gained.
Cam Spins the Saints in Circles
Since his return in Round 1, Lions fans were eagerly waiting for Cam Rayner to showcase the ‘next level’ of his game that had been teased for so long.
They got their reprieve in Round 22.
In an arm wrestle of a contest, St Kilda had a finals berth hanging in the balance and put Brisbane to the test for much of the first three quarters.
Just as Brisbane looked like being rundown by the gallant Saints, Rayner stepped up.
The 2017 No.1 pick kicked two goals at the start of the last term to haul Brisbane back in front and then extend their lead, and then snapped a third for the quarter in the dying moments to seal the Lions' 15-point win.
Rayner finished with four goals in the second half – of their five – in what was a crucial win for the Lions' top-four hopes and a dagger for the Saints' finals chances as they sit outside the top-eight.
And who could forget that celebration.
Two Words, Four Syllables
Darcy Wilmot.
Stages don't come much bigger than an Elimination Final for a debutant, and the task wasn’t lost on Darcy Wilmot.
Becoming the first Brisbane Lion to debut in an AFL final, ‘Motty’ as he’s affectionately known rose to the occasion and looked comfortable at the level almost instantly.
The 18-year-old collected 11 disposals on debut, including a clutch set shot goal that caused the sold out Gabba to erupt.
A week later, Wilmot was a gallant contributor to Brisbane’s hoodoo breaking semi-final win over Melbourne, with vision hilariously showing him running laps of the field post-game hyping up the Lions fans.
A ball of energy who lifts his teammates moods and a footy ability to match, we think we can speak for everyone when we say we can’t wait to see what 2023 holds for Darcy.
Joe Becomes Brisbane’s Hero
Four points down in the dying stages of an Elimination Final… enter Joe Daniher.
Following a week of scrutiny around his impact in finals, the lanky forward has piloted the Lions into a semi-final with a last-gasp goal to cap a thrilling victory over Richmond.
With less than 70 seconds remaining and Brisbane trailing by four points, Zac Bailey pumped the ball deep inside 50, and Daniher was on the spot to soccer through the scraps from close range.
It was the 17th and final lead change in a remarkable contest played out in front of 35,013 partisan fans.
In arguably the best game of the AFL season, what more can be said than ‘just Joe doing Joe things’.
Lachie Goes GOAT Mode
In one of the best individual finals performances in recent memory, Lachie Neale put his side on his back and was the game changer in Brisbane’s Elimination Final win.
Unable to wipe the smile off his face post-game, the Brownlow Medallist labelled the heart stopping win as ‘the craziest game I’ve ever played in’, but it was Neale’s determination to see his side win that was the difference.
The 29-year-old was unstoppable, collecting 39 disposals (21 contested), 15 clearances, nine score involvements and six inside 50s at an incredible 95% game time.
If that wasn’t enough, Neale didn’t come off the field for the entirety of the second half and lay a crucial tackle on Shai Bolton late in the game, denying Richmond a centre clearance and an opportunity to score.
Neale went on to win his third Merrett-Murray Medal and finish second in the Brownlow Medal count.
MCG Hoodoo = Broken
After being convincingly beaten by Melbourne by 64 points in Round 15 and 58 points in Round 23, there weren’t many people giving Brisbane a chance in the semi-final at the MCG.
Trailing by as much as 28 points, Brisbane were facing a third successive belting at the hands of Melbourne, a 12th consecutive defeat at the MCG and another long off-season, but then they flipped the script.
The Lions kicked 12 of the last 17 goals in a remarkable second-half fightback, resulting in one of the most hardened and impressive 13-point semi-final wins in the Clubs history.
Jarrod Berry starred in an important lockdown role on Clayton Oliver, winning 26 disposals of his own in an inspired performance.
Lachie Neale (26 touches, 10 clearances) and Hugh McCluggage (25 touches, one goal) lifted like quality players do, while Eric Hipwood was a sharpshooter in front of the sticks with four majors.
A Night to Remember for Paddy & Harry
In an otherwise painful night for the Club, one shining light on Preliminary Final night were the Lions junior mascots, Paddy and Harry.
Along with their Mum and Dad, the two brothers help take care of their baby sister, Isla, who tragically was diagnosed with a terminal illness.
With their favourite players being Charlie Cameron and Jarrod Berry, there wasn’t a dry eye in the Brisbane camp as these two amazing young boys got to live out their dream of running out with the team.
Although the result wasn’t what Brisbane or Paddy and Harry’s family wished for, it was moments like those that stand out above the rest.
Ruby Svarc Takes on North
It was one of the best individual efforts of 2022.
Crumbing a ground ball on the defensive 50, Ruby Svarc put the jets on, bolting down the wing and evading multiple North Melbourne players.
But that’s not the best part.
After handing the footy off to Greta Bodey on the Lions forward 50, Svarc keeps working, chasing down a Kangaroos defender before tackling her and being rewarded a free kick for holding the ball.
Rightfully played in highlight reels for the remainder of the season, the cherry on top came when the 29-year-old slotted the goal to put Brisbane back in the lead.
Lutsy’s Remarkable Comeback
Just hours after rupturing her ACL in January, Kate Lutkins was putting the wheels in motion to defy convention and get back to playing as quick as possible.Brisbane's match-winning defender suffered the devastating injury in the opening minutes of season six against Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium, almost certainly spelling the end of her 2022.
Full recovery for the knee reconstruction is typically 10 to 12 months, but Lutkins was having none of that.
Round 6 saw Lutkins remarkable return, with the 34-year-old was back playing at AFLW level just eight months and one day after surgery.
And whilst her return game was relatively quiet by her lofty standards, seeing her back out on the park was all the highlight you could want.
Brisbane Finish Minor Premiers
Brisbane’s Round 10 clash against Collingwood was about one thing… percentage.
Sitting equal-first on the ladder with Melbourne, the Lions needed to boost their percentage if they were a chance to clinch the minor premiership.
Craig Starcevich’s girls were dominant in a strong 45-point win over the Pies, leaving Melbourne with the lofty task of chasing down a 79-point win to topple the Lions.
It was a nervous two hours for Brisbane as they watched the Demons dismantle a young West Coast Eagles side.
In the dying stages of the fourth quarter, Melbourne needed just one-point to secure the minor premiership, but time was on the Lions side.
A late clearance from the Eagles snatched the title from underneath Melbourne, handing Brisbane their second minor premiership by just 0.3%.
The Lions Secure a Home Grand Final
The rivalry between Brisbane and Adelaide in the AFLW is real.
The two most successful Clubs in the competition’s history went head-to-head in a heated Preliminary Final at Metricon Stadium.
Despite a frenetic and scoreless opening ten minutes, Craig Starcevich’s side couldn’t have been more impressive.
Brisbane blew the game open with four unanswered goals in the second quarter – two each to Jesse Wardlaw and Courtney Hodder – as they made the most of their forward 50 entries.
Emily Bates was at her brilliant best, racking up 22 disposals and four clearances to help the Lions midfield get on top.
Captain Bre Koenen vied with Bates for best on ground honours, as she thwarted every Adelaide foray forward, rarely losing a one-on-one contest.
Shannon Campbell and Nat Grider also excelled in the impressive defensive unit, while Ruby Svarc's contribution couldn’t be undersold, with her match-high 11 tackles emblematic of the Lions' desperation to get back to a decider.
The result meant Brisbane would go on to host a dream Grand Final at their new den, Brighton Homes Arena in a historic day for the Club and women’s football.
Season 7 Leading Goalkicker… Jesse Wardlaw
Brisbane spearhead, Jesse Wardlaw, was unstoppable in Season 7.
Two goals in Round 10 was all the 22-year-old needed to wrap up the AFLW Leading Goalkicker Award in a record breaking year.
Wardlaw enjoyed her most consistent season to date, kicking at least one goal in every game she played in.
The key forwards form was so dominant that she even managed to win the award despite missing Brisbane’s Round 5 clash against Richmond.
Wardlaw finished the season with an AFLW record of 22 goals, breaking the previous record held by Adelaide’s Ash Woodland.
Ally Claims the AFLW Best & Fairest
Ally Anderson became the second Brisbane Lion AFLW player to receive the prestigious W medal and the 12th player in the merged Club’s history, AFL or AFLW, to win the Best and Fairest medal.
It was the first time a club has won the Award in two consecutive seasons, with teammate Emily Bates awarded the honour earlier in the year in Season Six.
Anderson polled 21 votes across ten rounds to finish on top of the leader board, ahead of Monique Conti on 19 and Ebony Marinof on 18.
In her humble way, Anderson, a foundation Brisbane Lions AFLW player, said she was shocked to receive the accolade and dedicated it to her team.
“Thank you to my team, you make me a better player and together we make each other better players. I absolutely love playing with you all,” she said.
“To all of the coaching and high-performance staff, you have done so much for me and the whole team. Having Emily and I both win this award in the same year is a testament to that, so thank you.
“To the trainers, physios and all of the support staff, thank you, and to my parents and family, I wouldn’t be here without you. And finally a thank you to the Club.”
The award comes off the back of a career-best season for the prolific midfielder, who gathered an average 21.8 disposals, 5.1 tackles and 5.1 clearances per game, including a career-high 31 disposals and 10 clearances in the Lions’ Round 9 54-point win over Hawthorn.
Our 2022 All-Australians
It was a busy year for the Brisbane Lions in the All-Australian stakes.
After a stellar 2022, Lachie Neale was awarded his third All-Australian blazer, with many suggesting the 29-year-olds year was better than his 2020 Brownlow Medal winning year.
Chris Fagan was full of praise for his star midfielder.
“He played at a consistently high level in 2020 to win the Brownlow Medal and his form this season has been of similar standard if not better,” Fagan said.
“His clearance work, hard running and defensive efforts have been a feature of his play.
“Lachie has an outstanding work ethic and desire to continue to improve his game.
“He trains with intense purpose and competes on game day as well as anyone I’ve seen. His ability to read the play and gather the ball cleanly is exceptional.”
For the Lions AFLW team, it was twice the charm, with six players receiving All-Australian honours across Seasons 6 and 7.
Orla O’Dwyer and Emily Bates were selected in the midfield earlier in the year, alongside teammate Nat Grider, who was the only Lion to win two blazers in one year.
Grider had a breakout season in the early part of the year and continued her momentum into Season 7, becoming a rising star of the competition.
Brisbane Lions Captain, Bre Koenen, put the cherry on top of an already dominant Season 7, named as Vice-Captain in her first All-Australian team selection.
The Lions skipper led from the front throughout Brisbane’s Season 7 campaign, finishing the home and away season 5th in the competition for marks (46) and 6th for intercept possessions (75).
Lions’ goal machine Jesse Wardlaw was named in her first All-Australian team, after she was awarded the competition’s leading goalkicker earlier in the evening.
Her selection follows a career-best season for the tall forward, which saw her break the AFLW record for the most number of goals kicked in a season with 22, previously held by Adelaide’s Ash Woodland (21).
Crafty small forward Greta Bodey broke through for her first All-Australian selection off the back of a stellar Season Seven.
Named in the All-Australian squad last season, Bodey’s selection highlights her strong and consistent season in the Lions’ forward line where she averaged a goal a game to finish the regular season with 11 goals.
2022 Off-Season Haul
It was one the best off-season trade and draft periods in recent times for the Brisbane Lions.
Busy players in the trade period, Brisbane acquired reigning Western Bulldogs Best & Fairest, Josh Dunkley, as well as triple premiership winning Hawk, Jack Gunston.
Not satisfied just yet, the Lions also secured the signature of Irishman and former Essendon speedster, Conor McKenna in a big boost for the Club.
In a delicate balance, Brisbane headed to the draft with a clear plan and nailed it.
Tied to father-son duo Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher, the Lions matched bids at Pick 2 (Ashcroft) and Pick 12 (Fletcher) to get their men.
If that wasn’t enough, Brisbane then took to the Rookie Draft, signing another famous name in Darryl McDowell-White Jnr and Shadeau Brain as Category B rookies, while also re-selecting veteran Ryan Lester and Nakia Cockatoo.
The off-season haul has left a lot of Lions fans salivating at the thought of what 2023 could hold for Brisbane with pressure for spots sure to be a selection nightmare.
