The Brisbane Lions NEAFL team started their premiership defence well, winning five of their first six games, but soon fell off the wagon with six consecutive defeats.
Heading into the back end of the season, the Lions found their mojo against Sydney Uni in Round 15 followed by a draw against the GWS Giants.
A well-earned victory is often the most enjoyable, and that was exactly the case for the Lions coming up against Sydney University in Round 15. The Lions’ backs were against the wall after six consecutive defeats, and they simply needed to come to play.
In what turned out to be a thrilling contest, the Lions came from 18 points down at quarter-time to win by 11. The victory had many aspects Lions fans can be excited for about their future, with young guns Ben Keays, Toby Wooller, and Jacob Allison all among their best players, and highly-rated academy gun Connor McFadyen top-scoring with three goals.
The Lions didn’t drop another match thereafter to qualify for the finals but came unstuck in the Elimination Final against the Aspley Hornets in a hotly-contested match at Graham Rd.
It was Round 8 against Sydney Swans that the Lions' six consecutive defeats in the middle of the season. With 18 AFL-listed players against 12, the Lions were favourites to get the job done. But no one told the Swans, whose commitment to the contest and even spread of contributors outplayed the Lions. Leading by two points at half-time, the Swans booted four goals to one in the second half for a 16-point win.
The Lions NEAFL side had a four-way tie for the Club's Reserve's Best and Fairest Award -the Neville Fallon Award - this year with Claye Beams, Ryan Bastinac, Ben Keays and Corey Lyons all starring throughout the season.
The Club made a host of list changes in the off-season with Beams, Tom Bell and Liam Dawson among its delistings. But the future is definitely bright at the Club with a number of players at NEAFL level making a case for AFL selection and earning a taste of the elite level in 2018.
Academy members McFadyen and
By the Numbers
Wins: 10
Losses: 8
Draws: 1
Ladder position: 6th
Percentage: 142.52
Last year: 1st
