Disappointed Lions fans soak up grand final atmosphere at South Bank

As Brisbane Lions fans descended on South Bank to watch Saturday’s landmark grand final, Sharon stood out in her black and white.

As they left, she was among the few celebrating – even if it was at the expense of her daughter Olivia in the maroon, gold and blue.

But sharing a shady picnic rug earlier in the day, there was little hint of rivalry.

Mackenzie, Olivia and Sharon found a shady spot at South Bank before snaring a place in the Piazza to watch the grand final live. Credit: Matt Dennien 

“I’ve been down there [in Melbourne] for when we won one,” Sunshine Coast-based Sharon said of her Melbourne-based Magpies. “So I’m happy for her to have it ... which is not very good as a Collingwood supporter, apparently.”

The pair – plus Olivia’s Broncos-following partner, Mackenzie, who was “along for the ride” from Gympie ahead of tomorrow’s Brisbane NRL showing – were among the first in line for a seat at the Piazza to watch the Lions-Magpies match-up.

“I am very nervous,” Olivia, who’s been following the Lions for about five years now, said.

Lions fans at South Bank’s amphitheatre in Brisbane.Credit: Matt Dennien

“I really don’t know who could win today – they’ve both played amazing the whole season, so it’s very tricky. And mum being Collingwood, it’s a bit tricky.”

“I watched as a kid, went to games as a kid, but only really found love for Brisbane once I kind of understood the game a bit more.”

While hundreds eventually filed into the roughly 2500-capacity amphitheatre and the shade it offered, some fans opted for sand over seats.

At least one keen fan couple laid a towel on nearby Streets Beach, where a screen was also set up beyond the non-existent breakers. More still set up chairs a little further back.

Earlier, families had streamed into the riverside parkland under a crisp blue sky to pose for photos with mascots or a replica of the 2003 grand final trophy – the last time Brisbane snatched it.

That premiership was the third in a four-year grand final run that ended the following year with a loss. It has not been replicated since.

But the Lions have been building again. Four of the past five seasons have seen them reach the top four.

Last time they played Collingwood, who entered the finals on top of the ladder, was in Round 23 at Marvel Stadium. The Lions got up by four goals.

Lions supporters gather at South Bank before the grand final.Credit: Matt Dennien

This time, Brisbane couldn’t quite get there.

After a subdued start, the energy ratcheted up in the amphitheatre with each new Lions goal.

The Piazza’s seat-edges got a serious workout in the final minutes. (The ones some Lions fans hadn’t vacated to pace the aisles anyway).

The structural integrity of the stands were tested after a key Charlie Cameron goal, too, before Collingwood ultimately spoiled the party.

It was heartbreak in the end for Lions fans after an intensely close battle.Credit: Matt Dennien

There were cheers of joy from those few in black and white; tears from those in maroon.

“I think it hurts more when you lose by a small margin,” one Lions fan offered as they filed out after the final siren.

And there was consolation from Emma — one of those pacing — to her eight-year-old son Farris, who commanded a Brisbane flag in the front row the entire game.

“[They did a] good job for making it this far,” he said of his first chance to catch Brisbane in the final. There is always next year, after all.

Coorparoo local Dan, a decades-long Lions fan who headed to the live site for some morning sun and a kick of the Sherrin with his family before catching the game back at home, said whatever happened would be a huge result.

“They’ve done well. From where they were five or six years ago ... it’s fantastic,” he said.

Two-year-old Lucy, in her own Lions kit, was also seeing her first grand final.

Mother Margie said her toddler was “very excited” – and she had the video of Lucy dancing around at home earlier to prove it.

“It’s a massive achievement, and it’ll be really great for the state,” she said of the Lions’ effort.

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