Miles dares to dream as Lions roll Swans in grand final boilover

Premier Steven Miles will use the Brisbane Lions’ backs-against-the-wall grand final win as motivation ahead of a gruelling campaign against a highly fancied rival.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles enjoys a beer while watching the 2024 AFL grand final match between the Brisbane Lions and the Sydney Swans with Sky News reporter Peter Stefanovic at Cazalys Sports Club, Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Premier Steven Miles will use the Brisbane Lions’ backs-against-the-wall grand final win as motivation ahead of a gruelling state election campaign against a highly fancied rival.

Mr Miles joined footy fans at Cazalys Sports Club in Cairns to cheer on the Queensland side in their rollicking victory over the Sydney Swans at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has a yarn with Cairns locals Nelson Reinaldo and Liam Murphy at Cazalys Sports Club during half time in the 2024 AFL grand final match between the Brisbane Lions and the Sydney Swans. Picture: Brendan Radke

The minor premiers were outclassed by a battle-hardened Brisbane squad, who suffered the heartbreak of a grand final defeat to Collingwood this time last year.

“The Lions have done us all proud with their incredible turnaround in the season when they were written off earlier in the year and the massive turnaround in the last two games,” Mr Miles said.

Polls predict a comfortable win for the Coalition and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli next month but speaking at the ALP’s party launch in Cairns earlier in the day, Mr Miles said he would refuse to quit.

“The LNP and their friends in the media think this election will be easy but I’ve got news for them,” he said.

“Queensland elections are never easy. Five quarters of football ago, the Brisbane Lions were 40 points down (against the GWS Giants) and nobody thought they had a chance of winning that game, let alone making the grand final.

“They believed and they did what mattered. That’s what me and every member of my team will do for the next four weeks.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles pours a frothy one under the supervision of Cazalys general manager Jason Wales at Cazalys Sports Club, Cairns, during half time in the 2024 AFL grand final match between the Brisbane Lions and the Sydney Swans. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Miles, who was joined by his family, Tourism Minister Michael Healy, Member for Barron River Craig Crawford and Sky News’ Peter Stefanovic, took a break from the action to pour beers for thirsty punters at half-time.

Originally published as Miles dares to dream as Lions roll Swans in grand final boilover