The 2024 Smithy’s VFL season came to end for the Brisbane Lions on Saturday at the hands of Werribee in the Preliminary Final. 

Travelling to Avalon Airport Oval, the Lions faced the tough task of tackling a Werribee side who had only lost one game since Round 5. 

In challenging conditions, the Lions controlled much of the contest in the first and third terms kicking with the breeze but were unable to capitalise on their dominance booting 4 goals, 10 behinds in both quarters. 

Werribee were able to run over the top with the wind in the final quarter winning 10.6 (66) to 6.10 (46). 

A bright start saw Academy product Liam Hude boot the opener to give the Lions the upper hand before Werribee responded with a major of their own. 

Inaccuracy plagued the Lions the opening term, kicking three minor score before Luke Lloyd steady the ship to take an eight-point lead into quarter time. 

The battle was heating up in the midfield with two fancies for the J.J Liston Trophy, Jarryd Lyons and Werribee’s Dom Brew going head-to-head. 

Lyons finished with 28 touches, nine clearances and eight tackles to be one of Brisbane’s best on the day. 

Joining him was Deven Robertson who fought hard all day, gathering 24 disposals but made a whopping game-high of 16 tackles. 

Kicking against a strong breeze in the second, the Lions made it a contested battle, Werribee were able to get forward of centre and boot two goals. 

Will McLachlan ensured the Lions were close at the half-time break kicking truly to trail by only one-point at the half. 

Henry Smith was a standout in the ruck, up against some stiff competition he toiled hard all day winning 53 hitouts, eight clearance and affecting 13 tackles in an all-round performance. 

The third term belonged to the Lions but they rued missed opportunities in front of goal as the wind played havoc. 

Brandon Ryan got the Lions off to the perfect start after half-time, despite dominating possession and inside 50s, Werribee’s defence only conceded two rushed behinds before they booted a goal of their own. 

VFL debutant and Lions Academy product Ty Gallop kicked his first major at state level in what was a strong performance and battled hard all day. 

Four behinds to finish the third quarter kept Werribee within striking distance as they turned for home holding an 11-point advantage. 

Two goals inside the first 10 minutes saw the Lions on the back foot earlier in the last term, Liam Hude’s second ensured the Lions kept pace with Werribee before the floodgates opened. 

The Tigers kicked the last three goals of the game to run away 20-point winners, ending the Lions season for the second straight year. 

Bruce Reville was strong all day playing primarily in the midfield collecting 18 possessions and making 14 tackles. 

The Lions qualified for their third consecutive Preliminary Final, highlighting the strength of the Clubs’ VFL program, in VFL coach, Ben Hudson’s second season in charge. 

Final Score 

Werribee 66 def Brisbane 46 

Goals: Hude 2, Ryan, McLachlan, Lloyd, Gallop 

Best: Lyons, Robertson, Reville, Tunstill, Prior, Smith