What’s next for the Lions? How premiership defence can inspire unrivalled dynasty

Only a few months ago, Dayne Zorko identified who he felt was the Brisbane Lions’ most elite player.

It was not Will Ashcroft, whose grand final heroics against Geelong garnered his second Norm Smith Medal in as many years – finishing with a goal, 32 disposals, 10 clearances, eight tackles and three goal assists.

Nor was it two-time Brownlow Medal victor Lachie Neale. No, Zorko’s vote went to Jaspa Fletcher, who along with Ashcroft looms as the face of the club’s push to force an unrivalled AFL dynasty.

“I did hear about that, he’s looked after me there,” Fletcher laughed to this masthead.

“He’s a great man, he’s a pleasure to play with. He’s a Brisbane Lions champion, as an AFL player growing up he was playing when my dad was coaching, and I was running around the Gabba as a little eight-year-old.

“He’s been a great mentor for me this year.”

The 21-year-old lined up for his third grand final in as many seasons in the AFL as Brisbane’s second half surge inspired their 18.14 (122) to 11.9 (75) premiership defence against Cats.

The son of club great Adrian did what he has done all year – his subtle touches and composure helping trigger several raids up field.

His best moments largely came with the game hanging in the balance – coming up with a couple of clutch goal-saving marks in the opening half, with the scores locked at 36-all at the major break.

His 29 disposals – only bettered among his fellow Lions by close friend Ashcroft – eight score involvements and six intercepts completed a remarkable shift to the backline this season.

It is a move Fletcher admits may not be permanent, having come into the Lions as a winger, with backline stars Keidean Coleman, Jack Payne, Noah Answerth and Tom Doedee all still to come back from injury.

“It’s different to have a different role and develop my game, but to be honest wherever Fages [coach Chris Fagan] puts my magnet is where I’m going to go out and play,” Fletcher said.

“I’m pretty confident I know the roles across the board. I wouldn’t say it’s permanent, we’ll see what happens, but I like to see I can grow my game in different areas.”

Wherever he ends up, Fletcher and Ashcroft headline a brimming youthful contingent who are poised to make Brisbane a premiership contender for the next decade.

“He’s had a very positive impact. He’s a real professional, he loves the big games, he’s toughand he’s still young,” Fagan said of Ashcroft.

“He seems to take things in his stride, he’s had a great finals’ series, and we’re lucky to have him at the club.”

Veterans not done yet

Charlie Cameron had been doubted and written off all year. This was the ultimate reminder he was not done with yet.

The 31-year-old’s prodigy Kai Lohmann hinted the champion would silence the naysayers on the biggest stage, and his four goals did just that.

When Cameron last faced Geelong, he had just one touch after an early goal, while his 28 goal haul heading into the decider was his fewest tally since 2018 – a campaign in which he played just 11 games.

But he proved once again he still had plenty in the tank, and his fellow tried and tested stars all joined him in taking the game on.

Neale’s remarkable recovery from a calf injury, brought on as the Lions’ sub, culminated in a brilliant goal and seven clearances, while McCluggage (four goals, 26 disposals, five clearances, three goal assists) reminded the AFL world again his All Australian blazer had been long overdue.

“I was lying in bed thinking I was going to look like a total idiot or a genius,” Fagan said of Neale.

“The bottom line was Lachie was fit to play, but how much game time could he play? He played one game in 56 games, and I was a little worried about his ability to see the whole game out.

“I thought he could come on and bring great energy in the second half, and that’s what he did.”

Even with rising prospects Sam Marshall, Levi Ashcroft and Bruce Reville sniffing for their chance, these leading men have so much more to offer.

New faces inbound

Despite the win, this is hardly the way Brandan Starcevich would have wanted what could be his final game as a Lion to end.

The gutsy defender was taken from the field with yet another concussion issue, having done a brilliant job keeping Cats star Patrick Dangerfield contained.

Starcevich is heavily tipped to make a move to the West Coast Eagles, while Callum Ah Chee has been strongly linked to an Adelaide shift.

But such has been Brisbane’s strength since returning as a finals force in 2018, they have suddenly become a destination club.

Eagles forward Oscar Allen is set to join the Den, as is Essendon star Sam Draper.

The pair would provide invaluable experience and support to Brisbane’s livewire young forwards Ty Gallop, Kai Lohmann – whose two goals against Geelong followed his four-goal heroics in last year’s decider – and Logan Morris.

Injury comebacks for Eric Hipwood and Lincoln McCarthy will only strengthen this growing depth.

“We don’t put any limits on them. We try to encourage our players to play to their strengths and their weapons, and I’ve done that from the day I started,” Fagan said of his young crop.

“It took a while for them to have the confidence to do it, but the younger guys have walked into that culture and are encouraged to be themselves and show what they’ve got.”

Queensland growth to power on

If this Lions squad is to surpass the famed triple premiership dynasty side of the early 2000s, Queensland as a whole need to ensure they are thinking beyond the elite levels.

Once the glory of those years settled, Brisbane endured a horror period – reaching just one finals series after their 2004 grand final defeat until becoming a consistent contender from 2019.

But the work of AFL Queensland to keep the grassroots of the game thriving in the rugby league dominated state suggests the current success can prosper for the long haul.

Almost 85,000 participants laced up the boots in the sunshine state this year, a 13 per cent spike as the code surges in popularity.

This success will only strengthen that hold they are building, and grow a base of players who will dream of donning the maroon and yellow guernsey.

“We’ve come a long way from those early days - training out the back of Cooparoo with no real home, to having a fantastic training facility and a footy team who, if you’re a Brisbane Lions fan, you can only be 100 per cent proud of,” Fagan said.

“It all bodes well for the club if we stay calm and don’t get ahead of ourselves.”

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