Fast-forward 12 months, and the Lions are gearing up for the first Grand Final in more than a decade, against reigning premiers NT Thunder.
It’s a remarkable turnaround.
Where last year’ s win quota was four, this season there’s only been four losses. Brisbane won their first three games, and went on a seven-game winning streak from rounds 9-16, kick-started by a record-breaking 241-point annihilation of UWS Giants.
The Lions led the competition for the entire second half of the year- before a last-round loss to Sydney saw NT pip them for the minor premiership, but they recovered by besting Southport and NT in the finals’ first fortnight to progress directly to the decider.
Coach Nathan Clarke says while he hasn’t focussed on that ’rags to riches’ theme with his charges this week, upon reflection, last season’s struggles makes this year’s success that little bit sweeter.
“It [previous season’s results] is something you try not to dwell on too much,” Clarke mused.
“But when you take some time to properly think about it, it really is pretty exciting that we have recovered so well from a bit of a tough patch. It is great for the club, and great for the boys-particularly those who endured last season.”
While 2011 was an obvious lowlight, the truth is it’s been a lean trot for the Lions Reserves since they beat Southport to take out the 2001 flag.
“If you are a Lions fan, why wouldn’t you come out to see our first Grand Final since 2001?” enthused Clarke.
“Spots in Grand Finals don’t come around very often-as you can see from our finishes in the past ten years. It should be great day; I would urge as many people as possible to come down to Yeronga and support the boys,”
Lions Reserves season results since 2001
2001- QAFL Premiers; beating Southport by 12 points at Coorparoo.
2002 - Finished fourth after being beaten by Southport in the Preliminary Final (Premiers: Mt Gravatt)
2003 - Finished third after losing the second Semi Final to Morningside (Premiers: Morningside)
2004 - Finished fourth after losing to Morningside in the first Semi Final (Premiers: Morningside)
2005 - Finished fifth and lost to Broadbeach in the Elimination Final (Premiers: Southport)
2006 - Finished sixth - missing Finals for the first time since their inaugural year as the Lion Cubs in 1998 (Premiers: Southport)
2007 - Finished fifth after losing the Elimination Final to Labrador (Premiers: Mt Gravatt)
2008 - Finished fourth after losing to Morningside in the Semi Final (Premiers: Southport)
2009 - Finished fifth after losing to Mt Gravatt in the Elimination Final (Premiers: Morningside)
2010 - Finished eighth with just six wins for the season (Premiers: Morningside)
2011 - Finished 10th and won their first ever wooden spoon after securing just four wins (Premiers: NT Thunder)
