The Brisbane Lions are “my team” and I’ve supported them through bleak times. From the very beginning, as the Brisbane Bears, I remember seeing their very first game against North Melbourne at the MCG. I was thirteen and I had gone to the game with Roos supporters. All of a sudden, these tanned, fit, buff guys ran onto the field and my teenage hormones went – “whoa!” That was 30 years ago, which actually makes me go “whoa!” again!
Fact was, the Brisbane Bears looked great, but they didn’t play great. Far from it. For a long time they were the laughing stock of the competition. The easy beats. Being one of a handful of supporters in a Melbourne crowd (who were still getting used to a widening national competition) abused for barracking for “those losers,” it was hard enough supporting a new interstate team without feral opposition supporters rubbing it in. I stuck it out though.
I’ll be honest. I thought about not wearing my Brisbane gear to the games and keeping quiet, it would be much easier, but that was a momentary thing. I always ended up going to the game decked out in my jumper, scarf and badges.
The Brisbane Bears mostly lost in those early days. It was tough going. That said, the club appreciated my support in Melbourne, and personally, they were very, very good to me, even sending 1990 Grand Final tickets for my dad and uncle to see their beloved Magpies vie for the premiership. At the time, Collingwood hadn’t won a Grand Final since 1958! It was their big chance, and they took it! Collingwood won the Grand Final, and my dad and uncle got to see it happen “live,” because of the generosity of my club. Brisbane finished on the bottom of the ladder that year, but they gave my family a gift that we certainly couldn’t afford. Dad would drive me to the Brisbane Lions footy games, and they knew it. They appreciated our support and they gave back in return.
Of course, things got worse for the club, both on and off the field. The Brisbane Bears eventually merged with the ailing Fitzroy Lions. As the Brisbane Lions we eventually found success beyond measure. Three premierships in a row (2001, 2002 and 2003), and we made it again in 2004, losing to Port Adelaide. It was the first time in AFL history that two non-Victorian teams had played in the Grand Final. Like it or not (and many didn’t), when that happened, we truly were a national competition.
Not surprisingly, the Brisbane Lions’ on-field success with a three-peat grew the supporter base to its peak.
By 2011, a second Queensland team was introduced – the Gold Coast Suns. The Suns are yet to win a premiership, and they only have half the supporter base of the Brisbane Lions, but the club is making a profit, albeit smallish (a little over a million in 2014). On the flip-side, Brisbane are approximately $10 million dollars in the red.
Brisbane only has a couple of first round draft picks left on their list, and while the Golf Coast Suns aren’t exactly super successful on the field, they have shown promise. They’ve had a shocking run of bad luck. They’re injury ravaged. Over a dozen key players have been placed on the long-term injury list. Coach, Rodney Eade has to field a team each week, but it’s a sub-standard version of their best, and the stress of a string of big losses is showing. That said, I believe the Suns have a depth that’s much stronger than the Lions.
A first round draft pick is not going to fix the hole that Brisbane have dug for themselves. The introduction of two new clubs (Gold Coast Suns and the second Sydney team, GWS Giants) has spread the pool of talent way too thin. Both GC and GWS have a plethora of talent infused into their clubs, and GWS are now showing the footy world what a powerhouse they truly are. Their talent runs deep. Currently sitting in the top eight, they’re finals contenders this season.
Brisbane are floundering and they need help. Without help, I honestly think the worst is yet to come. I fear an eventual merge between both Queensland clubs is inevitable. Brisbane premiership coach, Leigh Matthews, was slammed for saying this exact same thing last week, but after two massive losses to both Brisbane and the Gold Coast on the weekend, Queensland footy is sinking – fast! You can’t deny it. If you do, you’re a fool!
Merge math – Brisbane Bears + Fitzroy Lions = Brisbane Lions – Brisbane Lions + Gold Coast Suns = Queensland Sunny Lions, Queensland Suns…
We (meaning Brisbane) are back to where we were in those dark, early days of the Brisbane Bears. We’ve come full circle. The fans are fed up and the players are as dispirited as their supporters. It sucks the life out of you to go to a game and see your team lose, week in, week out. Kids lose interest. They want to cheer for their team.
This weekend, Brisbane didn’t score against the Magpies until the 14-minute mark of the second quarter. A home game. At the Gabba. In front of a home crowd, and the scoreboard didn’t tick over for almost an entire half of football. It read – 0-0-0! That’s just embarrassing, and shameful. It was an eventual 78 point loss. Brisbane were lucky that Collingwood kicked poorly, with 23 points on the board, the Magpies could have clocked up 30 goals – easily!
The final scores – Brisbane 10-5-65 — Collingwood 20-23-143.
That’s 15 scoring shots to 43!
Yeah, losses are inevitable for all clubs, but at least compete! No doubt, these constant losses suck the life out of the players, too. They’re professional athletes and they train their butts off to win. Whether they win or lose, they still have to go through the same recovery and training sessions to get themselves up for the next game, and it’s a hell of a lot easier to get up if you’re on the back of a win.
Teams need to rebuild. I get that too. But, there needs to be a consistent effort put forth by players, and solid leadership shown by the senior group. When supporters see players dropping their heads and not chasing down the opposition, essentially “giving up” mid-game, it doesn’t take long for the supporters to give up right along with them.
Both Queensland teams have their problems, be it injury or players just too young to play out four quarters with more experienced opposition, but a defeatist attitude is as crippling as any physical injury. Knowing you’re going to lose, week in, week out, it’s ingrained.
Walking down the race, out onto a field, to be ripped apart. What does that do to your psyche?
The Lions, my Lions, have lost their pride. It’s plain to see, but it’s damn hard to watch!
