Since the 1997 merger, the Brisbane Lions are one of five teams to have never won a pre-season title – along with West Coast, Fremantle, Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

But it was only six years ago that the Brisbane Lions last played off in the NAB Cup Grand Final – coincidentally against the same opponents they’ll face in this Friday night’s pre-season decider, Carlton.

On that occasion back in 2007, the Lions and Blues had both come off disappointing 2006 seasons – finishing 13th and 16th respectively – and were determined to start their new campaign off on a high note.

Carlton went in as warm favourites, but were seriously challenged by a Lions side fresh from their first pre-season without retired Captain Michael Voss.

A near capacity crowd of 46,094 people saw the Lions take a seven-point lead into the main break, before Carlton responded by booting six goals (including one ‘super goal’) to one in what turned out to be a match-winning third term.

Despite a mini resurgence from the Lions in the final quarter, the Blues held on to win their second pre-season title in three years by 25 points.

Carlton midfielder Nick Stevens won the Michael Tuck Medal as the best afield, while Brendon Fevola – who would later join the Lions – proved the difference up forward with a game-high four goals.   

For the Lions, midfielder Simon Black was the standout, and Cheynee Stiller, Jonathan Brown and Chris Johnson contributed two goals apiece.

Black is one of only a handful of Lions players who remains with the Club today - however off-season knee surgery will see him miss this return bout with Carlton. 

Unfortunately for both clubs, their promising pre-season form didn’t necessary translate into the regular season, with the Lions and Blues (10th and 15th respectively) non-participants come September.

MATCH DETAILS

CARLTON    1.2.1   1.4.3   2.9.3   2.12.7 (97)
LIONS            0.2.2   0.6.7   0.7.11 0.10.12 (72)

Michael Tuck Medal: Nick Stevens (Carlton)

Super Goals: CARL – Fisher, Carrazzo. BL – Nil.

Goals: CARL – Fevola 4, Fisher 3, Scotland, Koutoufides, Russell, Whitnall, Stevens. BL – Stiller 2, Johnson 2, Brown 2, Moody, Sherman, Wood, McGrath.

Best: CARL – Stevens, Murphy, Thornton, Fisher, O’hAilpin, Fevola. BL – Black, Harding, Adcock, Stiller, Sherman.