If there were any doubts another Brisbane Lions dynasty to rival that of the early 2000s would ever eventuate, three-time premiership-winner Alastair Lynch has declared this year could mark the end of such disbelief.
The champion forward sees similarities between coach Chris Fagan’s group and the famed sides in which he cemented his status as an AFL great.
Lynch’s crop – under the tutelage of Leigh Matthews – emerged from the doldrums, rising from a wooden spoon in 1998 to the promised land three years later.
Triple-flag heroics ensued from 2001 to 2003 before the wheels fell off – the Lions reaching just one finals series from 2005 through to the end of 2018.
Under Fagan, Brisbane have qualified for their seventh-consecutive stint in September, instilled with a trust they can defend their 2024 crown having conquered eight of their 11 clashes this year against top eight opposition.
Alastair Lynch believes the current Brisbane Lions can replicate the feats he and his teammates achieved in the early 2000s.Credit: AFL Photos
“They’re capable, and I firmly believe even though they’ve had ups and downs throughout the year, their best is the best in the competition,” Lynch said.
“They’re in that discussion, this season is wide open – a number of teams are in it – but they should believe, and they will believe after what they did last year, and in big games this year.
Loading
“We didn’t finish top in any of our years, but we knew on big days I could trust Craig McRae or Daniel Bradshaw or Akker [Jason Akermanis] or Brownie [Jonathan Brown]. There was this enormous trust, and it appears from the outside as what these guys have.
“They should go in really determined that they’ve got an era, they’ve got a window, and for them to have ambitions of getting two or three under their belt is realistic.”
Depth and youth spearheading future
The more seasoned Lions – Lachie Neale, Dayne Zorko, Harris Andrews, Josh Dunkley, Charlie Cameron and Hugh McCluggage – will play key roles.
But when Lynch’s premiership teammate Simon Black casts his eye over the youth and depth of the roster, he sees several flags ahead.
“They’ve certainly got the depth of talent and the capability,” Black said, “there’s no doubt about that.”
No club was more prominently recognised in this year’s 22 under 22 – with Logan Morris, Will Ashcroft, Darcy Wilmot, Jaspa Fletcher and Levi Ashcroft named.
That did not consider 2025 rookies Sam Marshall and Ty Gallop, nor four-goal grand final hero Kai Lohmann.
Of the Lions’ 46 rostered players, 22 are aged 25 or under.
Black laughs when asked who takes up the mantle of the Lions’ new midfield ‘Fab Four’ which consisted of himself, Nigel Lappin, Jason Akermanis and Michael Voss.
“It was the Fab Five according to Luke Power,” he jokes.
But while he admits Neale, McCluggage and Dunkley take three spots, the fourth will remain up for debate given the options at their disposal.
“We’ve got five guys in the 22 and under team, so the next few years I think are shaping up pretty strong as well. It’s tremendous depth, it’s quite amazing,” Black said.
Michael Voss and Simon Black celebrate another of the three premierships wins in the 2000s.Credit: Vince Caligiuri
“I was fortunate to have Michael Voss, Nigel [Lappin] and Akker around me, and that really helped me integrate into the team. That’s been a great thing for those younger guys in this side.
“To have Lachie, Dunks and Hugh there now, then to have the Ashcroft boys and Jaspa, it really enables them to develop of their own accord.”
Key to 2025 defence
Despite all he achieved, Lynch rates the sight of Zorko celebrating the 2024 premiership triumph as one of his football life’s greatest moments.
“His [Zorko’s] resilience to lead through difficult times, to stay, to encourage and empower others, was massive,” he said of the former skipper.
And his influence at halfback, and union with Harris Andrews, loom as key to their premiership defence – particularly without injured backline duo Jack Payne and Noah Answerth.
Few players match Zorko’s disposal efficiency (77.6 per cent) relative to the number of average disposals he produces (25.8), while he ranks equal fifth for rebound 50s (6.4).
Loading
Andrews’ intercept marking (three per game, fifth in the competition) then makes for a palpable combination, one Lynch believes their forthcoming rivals – beginning with Geelong – must shut down.
“He [Zorko] is a competitor … but his best asset is his aggressive kicking from halfback,” Lynch said.
“He’s got the confidence to keep going for it, and that’s one of the big assets the Brisbane Lions have. When you need an aggressive kick into the corridor and the start of a bit of forward momentum he does it beautifully.
“That’s the thing teams need to watch against Brisbane: one, how do you stop Harris Andrews, and two, how do you stop Dayne Zorko’s kicking?”
