The Brisbane Lions have kicked off their AFL premiership defense with a nail-biting four-point victory over the Sydney Swans, finishing the match with a scoreline of 12.14 (86) to 12.10 (82). This exciting contest, which took place on March 15, 2025, saw the Lions showcasing their resilience, recovering from an opening onslaught by the Swans and holding their nerve for the win.
After conceding the initial four goals of the game, Brisbane demonstrated tenacity by battling back and taking control. Their performance was reminiscent of their dominating ten-goal victory over the Swans during the 2024 grand final. The match's intensity reached its peak as Sydney's Isaac Heeney slotted a goal with just 63 seconds left on the clock, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Yet, the Lions managed to retain composure amid the chaos and secured the victory.
Brandon Starcevich's health was a major concern during the game; the forward was helped off the field following what turned out to be another concussion. Starcevich had already suffered a concussion earlier this season, as well as one last July. This incident occurred after he accidentally clashed heads with Sydney’s Justin McInerney.
Despite the loss of key players, Brisbane saw their forward Zac Bailey step up impressively, scoring four goals. The Lions faced added challenges with the absence of Charlie Cameron, who was scratched from the lineup due to calf tightness, and the early substitution of Kai Lohmann, who sustained what appeared to be an ankle injury.
During the match, the temperature soared to 38 degrees Celsius, which posed another difficulty for both teams. The players struggled with errors, turnovers, and decision-making, creating what many fans viewed as subpar play due to the heat and humidity. Still, the overall excitement of the match kept viewers engaged. Coach Dean Cox of the Swans made strategic changes, moving down to the boundary line to actively advocate for his team, which has started the season with two losses.
Sidney’s players, including top stars Chad Warner and Nick Blakey, also exhibited lapses, with multiple uncharacteristic errors and dropped marks. The game didn't lack excitement, especially with the Lions showcasing remarkable goal-scoring plays from Dayne Zorko and Logan Morris during the third quarter.
Looking forward, the Lions are seeing movement on the injury front. Following the game, it was reported Charlie Cameron is set to train and has the potential to play against the West Coast Eagles on March 23, 2025. Cameron, who was sidelined previously, will train again Thursday to prove his readiness.
Defender Darcy Gardiner is also making headlines; he’s set for his first appearance since Round 8 of the previous season. Gardiner has been participating fully in training and has been cleared to return to the field, either at AFL or VFL levels.
Unfortunately for Starcevich, he has entered concussion protocols following the incident against Sydney and will not be available for upcoming matches. The club is taking precautionary measures to prioritize his well-being, which includes conducting additional assessments before allowing his return.
Lincoln McCarthy’s situation remains serious, as he will undergo surgery next week, on March 24, 2025, to repair his ruptured ACL. McCarthy had sustained the injury two weeks prior, just as he was on the brink of returning to play after being sidelined for the majority of the last season.
On the injury front, there’s some good news: scans have determined young prospect Kai Lohmann does not require surgery and is expected to miss only one to two matches due to his ankle sprain. Lohmann's swift recovery could significantly contribute to their lineup as they host the West Coast Eagles this upcoming Sunday.
The Lions, having experienced these injuries early on, are determined to rebound and perform well against the Eagles, who were recently triumphed over by Gold Coast by 87 points—a margin indicating their own struggles and presenting Brisbane with the opportunity to capitalize.
