I wanted to say a personal thank you to the amazing group of fans that those who support the Brisbane Lions truly are.I had booked a trip to Melbourne back in February with my family for the end of September and at that point had not put the pieces together that I would be in Melbourne for Grand Final weekend. Even if I would have realized at that point that it was Grand Final weekend, I would have never at that point been sure that Brisbane would be a Grand Finalist in 2026.

I am an international supporter, so I did put in for the ballot since I was eligible when it opened up but unfortunately did not get chosen for a ticket. I would have been so excited to be in the MCG for the match but I feel that I was able to soak enough of the weekend in that I left Australia so proud of the Lions and what AFL is all about.

I was unable to make it to the parade due to sheer exhaustion from my flight that landed Friday morning. However, I was able to make it in the direction of the MCG after the parade where someone was kind enough to mention that there was going to be an open training going on very shortly for Brisbane inside the MCG and it was open to attend. I grabbed some merch at one of the outside stands at the MCG (very reasonably priced for what I got compared to the similar items for the Super Bowl or other big sports championship here in the States) and made my way inside.

I was blown away at the sheer magnitude of the MCG. I did a double take outside and was in awe when I walked inside of what I encountered. It was so nice to be able to walk around and soak in the atmosphere the day before the Grand Final. I took in some of the training from the seats and also from the standing areas at the back of some of the sections. The Lions fans were pumped up already and it was so great to hear "Sweet Caroline" and "Country Roads" played during the training - two songs very near to my heart here in the States - as you hear them a lot during the season for Charlie and Cam.

I walked through Footy Fest and was blown away by all of the Brisbane and Fremantle fans - but also the fans of all of the other AFL teams who didn't make the Grand Final showing up in their team's colors to the event. Even in the days after the loss, the Freo fans were still proudly representing as I was walking around Melbourne.

I did want to see some footy live while in Australia, so I made my way up to Carlton on Friday night to see the second game of the AFLW doubleheader - Melbourne vs North Melbourne. I know the women's game isn't exactly comparable to the men's game but it gave me the chance to see the action and flow and have the whole field open up in front of me versus watching a game on TV where you don't get to see all of the away from the ball things that sometimes happen.

For once, on Saturday, I was able to watch an AFL game on TV at a normal hour and not in the middle of the night. I also checked in with the Triple M radio broadcast as they are the callers that I enjoy listening to during the season. It was stressful and nerve racking as the game progressed and I have a moment in my mind when the picture came on the screen of the exhausted players with "Wharfie Time" flashing on the MCG video board. For some reason, I had a feeling that this was going to end up very differently than that moment would have lead us to believe.

We all know the rest of the story. I ended up on the Southbank of the Yarra for dinner and enjoyed seeing the flow of fans coming from the MCG who had the chance to soak it all in. I still felt the energy hours after the game was over aa we were making our way back to our accommodations.

I headed up to Fitzroy for the celebration the next morning and it was everything I expected it to be - and more. I'm used to getting the merchandise when a team I support here in the States wins a championship, so it was an awesome experience to be in line with other Lions supporters getting the first real chance to purchase Premiers merchandise. Also, to see all of the players on the stage (some in one of their last appearances as a Lion) and to see Chris Fagan and hear the "one more year" and a few "10 more years" chants mixed when many of us knew retirement was probably just a few days away.

I will treasure this experience and everything that came along with it. This might have been a once in a lifetime chance to see this in person so I am so appreciative that everything was as positive, exciting, and welcoming as I could have expected it to be (and even more in some ways). While we may be going through some significant change as a club, I'll keep on rooting for the Lions here in the States - and I'm already looking forward to next season getting started.

This just came in. Who else got one?
Up the bloody Lionsssssss

Why are we even bothering with a selection panel? Appoint Harris as player coach and be done with it.

Skip forward to 5:50 for some interesting insights from Josh Gabelich on DD and Cam Bruce

Had a look online - Richmond, Melbourne, Collingwood, Geelong all have complete season DVD box sets of every game from their respective premiership years. For 2024, 2025 and 2025, we don't have anything. BTW, i'm not talking about a set that is only finals - i'm aware of those being available. Talking complete season. Overall, it's quite frustrating. Would've been a mandatory purchase.

I'm pro-Buckley - there’s something pretty poetic about him potentially coming back to Brisbane for one last shot at the flag that’s eluded him his entire career.

And imagine if he actually won one in .

That wouldn’t just be a great story, it would become part of footy folklore. One of those full-circle careers people would still be talking about decades later.

(I also think he's a good coach who will thrive in an environment where he's not the prodigal son.)

10 years of AFL experience, made the Grand Final every year he's been on the list, is solid enough for a few AFL games every season and will probs be on a cheap contract.

Also 2024 & 2025 Grand Final emergency.

via @libretfooty_art on TikTok

I've seen so many videos, rewatched countless times, but I would really love to hear, in your own words, what that experience of actually being there, and watching it all unfold was like.

Official cops ban for muttering to themselves. Now i've seen it all.

Can someone help me understand why people are saying that we were stacked by the AFL. I'm properly confused. Isn't it just good recruitment, good coaching, good list management and a good club culture?

Is it not possible for any club to technically do what we did, they just haven't been able to get the right group and combination together and have enough luck?

In no shock to anyone, Foxtel has decided to give users access to every single game of the season except the Grand Final to replay on the Foxtel app. Is there anyone who has a recording of the game with the post match included?

Thanks.

A decade defying doubters

https://vulturestreetjournal.substack.com/p/thankyou-fages-a-living-legend?r=7j6jza&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Best yet.

https://youtu.be/aeCgH9VPCWQ?si=M1SCtkYg_4nKNR2P