Brisbane Lions midfielder Jarryd Lyons has announced he will retire at the end of the club’s 2024 finals campaign.
The 32-year informed his teammates of the decision at training at the Gabba on Thursday, speaking fondly of the memories from his impressive 194-game career.
Lyons has lived out his AFL dream for 14 seasons with three clubs – Brisbane (102), Gold Coast (37) and Adelaide (55).
The midfielder arrived at the Gabba for the 2019 season via the Gold Coast and Adelaide who initially selected him with Pick 61 in 2010 national draft.
Lyons said he was proud of what he has achieved and thanked all three clubs.
“My career was at a bit of a crossroads, and this club gave me a lifeline,” he said
“It could have just been a fledgling 100-game career, but you turned it into something that I am incredibly proud of. I could go on forever about how good this club is.
“Lastly to the boys, there’s been hundreds of you come and go and lace up the boots with me and that’s what makes this journey all worthwhile.
“Going into work each day with you lads is what I will miss the most.
“That’s enough about me though. This group has got what it takes and let’s make this last as long as we can and get to the end. I can’t wait, let’s do it.”
The former Sandringham Dragons junior wasn’t comfortable talking about himself, and said he announced his retirement now so the club could concentrate on its finals campaign.
Lions senior coach Chris Fagan however was full of praise for the midfielder and spoke glowingly about the two-time Marcus Ashcroft Medalist.
At AFL level Lyons was a prolific ball-winner highlighted by a career-best 39 disposals against North Melbourne and a career-best 14 clearances against Carlton.
His impressive playing career also includes a J.J Liston Trophy as the VFL’s Best and Fairest player in 2023 – showing his high standards continued even when not playing AFL.
An emotional Fagan spoke to the playing group and staff about Lyons and agreed he arrived with his career at a crossroads, though made the most of his chance.
“Over the next five or six years after arriving he became one of the best midfielders in the AFL,” Fagan referenced in his speech.
“He became one of the toughest guys to play against, one of the best stoppage players, one of the guys with the best hands and best footy brains.
“One year there you might have even finished high in the Brownlow.
“He played his best footy when he came to this club because he had a super attitude and wanted to get the best out of himself.
“I don’t think you can walk away from AFL footy and think for one moment that you haven't extracted everything you can out of yourself.”
“We are better off as a footy club to have had you here for the last six or seven years and it’s no coincidence that when you arrived, we started our rise up the ladder.”
Fagan finished his speech by thanking Lyons, his wife Savahna and their children Seb and Lara for their contribution for the club.
