Last night the AFL made the unprecedented decision to suspend the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership season until the 31st May 2020 and conclude the NAB AFL Women’s season as a result of the continuing spread of the Covid-19 virus.

The worsening situation in the community and the decision by various State Governments to close their borders meant it was time for the AFL to immediately stop the AFL and AFLW competitions.

Our men’s players found out in the rooms after a tough Round 1 loss to Hawthorn and as you can imagine, the news was met with disbelief and silence. 

Whilst this is obviously a disappointing outcome, the Club supports the extremely tough decision and the hard work and collaboration with stakeholders that has gone into making it. If you had have told me a month ago this is what our 2020 Season would look like, I wouldn’t have believed you. 

We have a lot of work ahead of us to ensure the Club’s financial stability and there will need to be some really tough decisions made, but we’re committed to ensuring that your Club still exists in six months’ time, in a years’ time and in 50 years’ time. 

In order to do that, we will be implementing a series of significant measures that will shore up our finances and we will aim to be as transparent as possible as we move through the process. We will also provide members with more information as to how best to support the Club through these trying times – because we do need your help. 

There are many people who are impacted by the AFL’s decision, not least of which are our loyal and hard-working staff and players. Their wellbeing as we work through this is paramount and we will support them through whatever lies ahead.

The way we behave as a community during this extraordinary world health crisis, will directly impact the severity of the outcome. We ask that, as the Brisbane Lions community, you all do your part to stop the spread of the virus, follow the government’s health advice and practice social distancing so that we can help flatten the curve and save lives.

It’s not all doom and gloom, we will be encouraging our people to take this time to relax, to reset and to reprioritize the things that are important. Without trivializing, this time does give us all a moment in what has become an increasingly noisy, busy world, to take stock and we hope you can all do the same as well.

The Lions have been around, in one form or another, for over 130 years and that is entirely thanks to the wonderful, passionate supporters that have invested not only their time and money, but their cheers, screams, boos, tears, cries of “ball” and everything in between. For that, we say a heartfelt thank you, and we’ll see you back out on The Gabba soon. 

We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our health workers and other front line staff who continue to go to work in order to preserve the safety and wellbeing of the broader community.

Football certainly isn't the be all and end all, and we understand that many within the community will be doing it tough over the coming months, the Club hopes you and your families stay healthy and safe and get through this as best you can. I will continue to keep you updated as more information comes to hand.

Regards, 

Greg Swann