Premiership stars Bre Koenen, Nat Grider and Orla O’Dwyer extend contracts at Brisbane Lions

The Lions have watched some massive stars walk out the doors in recent years, but after their 2023 premiership it seems Brisbane are well set for a run at a dynasty, locking down some key names.

The Brisbane Lions are going all-in on building an AFLW dynasty.

On Thursday the club will announce extensions for key premiership stars Bre Koenen, Nat Grider and Orla O’Dwyer to the end of 2027.

After years of being pillaged from pillar to post by expansion clubs, the Lions have stuck their premiership flags in the ground with a retention drive geared toward long-lasting success.

Since defeating North Melbourne by 17 points in the Season 8 decider last December, the club has re-signed or extended 13 of its premiership-winning list.

Alongside Koenen, Grider and O’Dwyer, Belle Dawes, Jade Ellenger, Tahlia Hickie, Shannon Campbell, Lily Postlethwaite, Ruby Svarc and Poppy Boltz have all extended their stays, while Courtney Hodder, Taylor Smith and Charlotte Mullins were re-signed after their previous deals expired at the end of 2023.

Bre Koenen is one of three key Lions to extend their deals. Picture: Liam Kidston

Of the 21 players who featured against the Kangaroos, only Phoebe Monahan (retired) and Mikayla Pauga (GWS) will not be at the Lions next season.

Only four players - Sophie Conway, Cathy Svarc, Dakota Davidson and Jennifer Dunne - do not have contracts beyond the end of 2024. But the club is confident it will get those extensions over the line.

It’s a major off-field victory for a club that watched three former All-Australians – Emily Bates, Greta Bodey and Jesse Wardlaw – walk to rivals last off-season.

That exodus was expected to cripple the perennial premiership contenders. Instead they unearthed even more talent to claim a second AFLW flag.

Already among the most successful clubs in the AFLW competition, rivalled only by Adelaide, the Lions’ list has vowed to stay together and fight for further success under master coach Craig Starcevich, who himself has extended his contract by a further two years.

The Lions are looking to create an AFLW dynasty. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“I’m really excited to be staying at the club for the next four years and couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d want to play my footy,” captain Koenen said.

“We’re in a really strong position, we’re hungry for more success and that’s something I definitely want to be a part of and continue to drive.

“We’ve built such a great culture amongst this group, drive by Bree (Brock) and Craig (Starcevich) and I’m looking forward to seeing how far this group can go.”

Brisbane’s AFLW playing group will return for pre-season training on Monday, June 3.

Season 9 will commence in the last weekend of August.