By James Dampney
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12:35PMSaturday, September 27th, 2025
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Brisbane Lions ‘juggernaut’ puts the AFL world on notice
The Brisbane Lions are already back-to-back premiers, but it could still get a whole lot worse for the rest of the AFL competition.
James Dampney
September 27, 2025 – 7:30PM
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2025 Norm Smith Medalist crowned
Will Ashcroft has been crowned the back-to-back Norm Smith Medalist.
The Brisbane Lions are back-to-back premiers – and there is a very scary proposition facing the rest of the AFL landscape.
These Lions are likely nowhere near their peak.
Watch the best build-up to the 2025 AFL Grand Final, with expert analysis and full Grand Final day coverage, on Fox Footy via Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Brisbane has used the father-son rule and some famous lineage to perfection, with Levi Ashcroft joining big brother and two-time Norm Smith medallist Will as a premiership player following the club’s outstanding 47-point win over Geelong.
Jaspa Fletcher is another father-son product and the 21-year-old was also one of the Lions’ best on Saturday.
The AFL is seriously considering changing the rules around matching bids for father-sons and academy selections, but that ship has sailed when it comes to the Lions.
The Lions celebrate a second straight flag. Picture Lachie Millard
The Queensland club has also become a highly sought after destination, with former West Coast captain Oscar Allen and Essendon ruckman Sam Draper among those that have declared their intention to move north to Brisbane.
Many of the Lions’ best and most promising players – including the Ashcroft boys, Fletcher, Ty Gallop, Logan Morris and Darcy Wilmot – are 22 years old or younger.
With the Lions securing a second straight flag from a third consecutive grand final, attention naturally drifts to the club’s other dominant era from 2001-2003.
That side was a powerhouse, with strength in every position and a raft of huge names, including Michael Voss, Simon Black, Jason Akermanis, Jonathan Brown, Nigel Lappin, Alastair Lynch, Justin Leppitsch and Mal Michael.
Many consider that three-peat team the best in AFL history.
Levi (left) and Will Ashcroft are quickly banking honours in their young careers. Picture: Michael Klein
Until now, the modern day Brisbane outfit has been more understated, successful due to the sum of its parts and the game plan under Chris Fagan, rather than a team of all-time greats.
But that is changing and in a hurry.
Lachie Neale pulled off his Houdini routine to play half a game as a sub and add to his legacy, while Harris Andrews, Hugh McCluggage and Zac Bailey were all named All-Australians this season.
The Lions have had serviceable forwards, rather than a dominant goalkicker like Lynch or Brown, with nine players kicking goals against the Cats.
Allen’s impending arrival will give them another option to add to the likes of Eric Hipwood, who missed the back end of the season due to injury.
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Andrews reflects on special playing group
Harris Andrews has paid…
During Saturday’s grand final, Kane Cornes said on Channel 7: “They have some injured players returning.
“This could be an absolute juggernaut this Brisbane Lions team.”
Cornes also said Fletcher is among the young brigade tipped to take his game to a whole new level in the coming years.
It feels the footy world is preparing for another Brisbane behemoth – for a club that has already nabbed two flags this decade.
Footy reporter Rohan Connolly tweeted: “Huge congrats to Brisbane on a richly deserved premiership, just kept plugging away all year despite injuries & hit an absolute peak when it mattered.
“No doubt Lions’ best is THE best in AFL. Who’s to say they can’t pull off another Brisbane flag hat-trick?”
Oscar Allen is expected to join the Brisbane party. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
And so is former Bombers ruckman Sam Draper. Picture: Michael Klein
Fox Footy wrote: “The hardest draw in the comp. Injuries galore, including their captain. Target on their backs all year. Yet Brisbane goes back-to-back, declaring itself a dynasty in waiting.”
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Last week, footy producer Brad Klibansky listed a series of Lions young guns and wrote: “All 22 and under and in Brisbane’s best team. They are also getting one of the best mids in the draft this year, Daniel Annable. Whatever happens for the rest of the season, the Brisbane Lions aren’t going anywhere for a long time.”
Brisbane’s dynasty has quietly snuck up on the footy world, but Fagan’s squad has well and truly arrived.
And this is only the beginning.
Read related topics:Brisbane
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