The Brisbane Lions displayed remarkable resilience to secure their first victory of the season, overcoming personal and professional hardships to triumph over the Sydney Swans at the SCG on March 15, 2025. This thrilling four-point win is seen as one of their significant early season achievements, according to coach Chris Fagan.
Hugh McCluggage, the Lions' star player, reiterated the team’s capacity to manage adversity. "We can cope with any adversity thrown at us," he said, reflecting on the emotional and physical challenges faced leading up to the match. Their preparations were heavily impacted by Cyclone Alfred, which resulted in the postponement of their much-anticipated premiership flag-unfurling ceremony.
Key injuries made the week particularly harrowing for the Lions. Sam Day was slated to make his debut for the team after joining from the Gold Coast but had to withdraw from the match following the death of his father. Meanwhile, fellow forward Lincoln McCarthy, who had previously missed last year's finals run due to injury, suffered another serious setback, rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during training just before the team's departure to Sydney.
Describing the previous week as tough, McCluggage noted, "We had a pretty good training on Tuesday at the Gabba, then Linc got us in and broke the news, which was quite deflATING. For it just to be taken away from him likethat was disappointing for him as both a footballer and as a mate." He also expressed concern for Starcevich, who suffered his third concussion during the match against the Swans.
Adding to the drama, Charlie Cameron, another star player, withdrew from the game only one hour before kickoff due to a calf issue. The unexpected injuries left the Lions without three of their top goal scorers from last season, following the post-premiership retirement of Joe Daniher. Early on, they faltered as the Swans kicked the first four goals, drawing disconcerting parallels with past struggles.
Despite this rocky start, the Lions managed to regroup and take control of the match, showing exceptional poise under pressure to finish with 12-14 (86) to 12.10 (82). McCluggage described the experience, saying, "Our mindset didn’t really change whether we were down or whether we were up... definitely the experience helps. You gain confidence from winning the competition, but you’ve got to stay humble, and any team on their day is hard to beat. We’ve got to keep our focus and not look too far back or forward, which will be our biggest challenge."
Looking to the upcoming clash against the West Coast Eagles on March 23, McCluggage expressed confidence but stressed the need for caution. The Eagles, fresh off an embarrassing 87-point loss under new coach Andrew McQualter, might be expected to regroup and deliver their best performance. "If there's one thing I’ve learned from my time playing AFL, it’s the week before doesn’t matter," he stated. "Teams can perform differently from one week to the next, so we've got to stay focused."
Brisbane fans are eagerly anticipating the official unfurling of the premiership flag during the match against West Coast at the Gabba. The anticipation around this event is high as the club seeks to build on the momentum from their latest victory. Given their ability to rise above adversity and their strong mental fortitude, the Lions are poised to continue their campaign and aim for back-to-back premierships.
With McCluggage and his teammates embodying the spirit of resilience, fans can expect the Lions to push forward with determination, focusing on their present challenges as they navigate the season ahead. Their experience and camaraderie will be tested again as they integrate new dynamics and recover from setbacks, all part of the unpredictable sport of AFL.
