The Brisbane Lions' incredible consistency was again on show in 2024 as they reached a third-consecutive Smithy’s VFL preliminary final.
However, a Grand Final appearance continued to elude them.
BY THE NUMBERS
Position: 4th
W-L-D (%): 14-7 (116.2%)
Players used: 51
Played every match: 1 – Reece Torrent
AFL players used: 27 (306 matches)
Ex-AFL players: 2 (23 matches)
Debutants: 15 – Levi Ashcroft, Rohan Bailey, Luke Beecken, Darcy Craven, Zach Derksen, Tom Doedee, Ty Gallop, Tom Gillett, Wyatt Greenaway, Liam Hude, Will McLachlan, Tristen Meekin, Ben Thomas, Reece Torrent, Zane Zakostelsky
STAR PERFORMERS
Best and Fairest: 1st: Jarryd Lyons (44 votes), 2nd: Deven Robertson (41), 3rd: Darcy Fort, James Madden and Jaxon Prior (37)
J.J. Liston Trophy: Jarryd Lyons (17 votes), Deven Robertson (17), Darcy Fort (9), James Tunstill (7), Darragh Joyce (4)
Coaches MVP Award: Jarryd Lyons (85 votes), Deven Robertson (54), James Tunstill (34), Jaxon Prior (28), Darcy Fort (24)
Leading Goalkickers: Brandon Ryan (26), Will McLachlan (24), Jarryd Lyons (20), Harry Sharp (20), Henry Smith (17)
Smithy’s VFL Team of the Year: Jarryd Lyons (ruck rover), Deven Robertson (interchange)
STAT LEADERS
(Averages – minimum 6 matches)
Disposals: Jarryd Lyons 29.6, Deven Robertson 25.9, Jaxon Prior 23.9, James Tunstill 23.5, Bruce Reville 20.3
Contested possessions: Jarryd Lyons 14.4, Deven Robertson 13.0, Darcy Fort 11.3, James Tunstill 9.9, Henry Smith 8.4
Kicks: Jaxon Prior 20.2, Jarryd Lyons 18.8, Darragh Joyce 15.7, James Tunstill 14.5, Harry Sharp 13.8
Handballs: Deven Robertson 13.4, Jarryd Lyons 10.8, James Tunstill 8.9, Bruce Reville 8.4, Jake Lohmann 8.3
Marks: Darragh Joyce 9.7, Jaxon Prior 7.2, Harry Sharp 6.4, Luke Beecken 6.2, Shadeau Brain 6.2
Tackles: Deven Robertson 6.6, Jarryd Lyons 5.7, Bruce Reville 4.9, James Tunstill 4.4, Kyle Dunkley 3.9
Hitouts: Darcy Fort 32.1, Henry Smith 20.4, Kalin Lane 11.6, Brandon Ryan 2.2, Liam Hude 0.2
Clearances: Jarryd Lyons 8.5, Deven Robertson 7.1, Darcy Fort 6.4, James Tunstill 5.1, Henry Smith 3.6, Bruce Reville 3.6
Inside-50s: Jarryd Lyons 5.8, James Tunstill 5.2, Bruce Reville 4.9, Harry Sharp 4.1, Darcy Fort 3.6
Rebound-50s: Jaxon Prior 7.4, Darragh Joyce 5.0, Luke Beecken 3.4, Zane Zakostelsky 2.4, Noah Answerth 2.2
What went right: The Lions’ best was as good as any in the competition. That was most notable in their 68-point belting of Box Hill and upset win over Footscray in Melbourne in consecutive matches in Rounds 9 and 11. Those performances were part of an eight-match winning streak through the middle of the season that set them up for another top four finish. Jarryd Lyons was still a star of the competition, finishing fifth in the J.J. Liston Trophy voting after winning the award in 2024. Meanwhile the three mid-season draftees – Will McLachlan, Luke Beecken and Darcy Craven – all proved to be VFL guns and played a huge role in driving the Lions to the preliminary final. Liam Hude and Jack Manly showed plenty while the experienced Kyle Dunkley and Ewan Macpherson held up their end of the bargain. The fact they didn’t have a forward boot more than 26 goals for the year was a credit to their depth.
What went wrong: The Lions would be disappointed with the way the season finished, losing a third-successive preliminary final after going down to Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval for the second year in a row. This year’s defeat was the closest they have come to breaking through for a Grand Final appearance after leading by 11 points at three quarter time before conceding six goals to one in the last term. They would also be stinging at being thrashed by the Suns in both QClashes. Dropping the last game of the season to struggling Collingwood at the AIA Centre cost them two home finals and probably a proper shot at the premiership.
Summary: A third-consecutive preliminary final exit can be looked at two ways for the Lions. There is the obvious disappointment of not being able to take the next step, but also the achievement of consistently making the last four in a powerful 21-team competition despite travelling almost every second week. The Lions were clearly in the best three teams and probably would have made the Grand Final had Darcy Craven’s effort after the siren made the distance in the qualifying final against Footscray, which was the game of the season. But while they had all the ability, the twin flops against the Suns, the horrible inaccuracy against North Melbourne early in the year and the Round 21 shock loss against Collingwood are the ones that will burn deepest throughout pre-season.
Grade: 7.5/10
2024 SMITHY'S VFL SEASON REVIEWS
Geelong Cats
Williamstown
Box Hill Hawks
Frankston
Gold Coast Suns
Richmond
Essendon
Sandringham
Sydney Swans
GWS Giants
North Melbourne
Port Melbourne
Casey Demons
Coburg
Carlton
Collingwood
Northern Bullants
