Brisbane Lions finish season undefeated with grand final win over Southport Sharks

Brisbane Lions capped a perfect NEAFL season on Sunday with victory over Southport in the decider, cruising to victory as senior-listed pair Cedric Cox and Ben Keays combined for eight goals.

Brisbane’s heartbroken AFL stars have shrugged off their personal disappointment from Saturday night’s finals to turn out in droves to cheer their NEAFL side to a 76-point premiership triumph.

The Lions created history, smashing Southport 20.15 (135) to 8.11 (59) in the Sharks’ Fankhauser Reserve base to record the competition’s first undefeated season.

Premiership coach Mitch Hahn said the mass show of support demonstrated the unity at the club.

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“I look across full of pride when I see the Brisbane Lions Football Club all here together and it shows the culture we have built and the club we have become,’’ Hahn said.

Reigning premiers Southport enjoy a solid home-ground advantage but the sight of the entire Lions’ senior playing list cheering from beyond the fence then strolling on to the ground and towards the huddle suburban footy style to listen to Hahn’s addresses took that away from the Sharks.

Chris Fagan, Jarrod Berry, Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron at the match. Picture: Mike Batterham

Chairman Andrew Wellington, CEO Greg Swann, coach Chris Fagan, footy manager David Noble and the entire coaching staff, as well as several board members, also made the trek down the highway to support the side.

Defender Matt Eagles won the Andrew Ireland medal as the grand final MVP but he had plenty of mates in a dominant Lions performance.

Ben Keays, a heavy favourite to win the club’s NEAFL best and fairest award, said he had never experienced a season like it when there was no division between the AFL side and those battling away hoping for a call-up in the NEAFL.

The Brisbane Lions NEAFL side celebrate their grand final win over the Southport Sharks.

“It is amazing. It is so great to have everyone here and it sums you how the environment has been all year and it is good that everyone can see that this is how it was coming into the club every day,’’ Keays said.

“It was a really positive environment, everyone was really hungry and unfortunately it didn’t go our way (on Saturday night) but it was our first finals series in 10 years and we will come back really hungry.’’

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Keays said the NEAFL side, which must surely lay claim to being the best state league side in the country after such a dominant season, took pride in the role they had played increasing the competition for positions which helped driving the performances of the AFL side.

“It is a must. Every team that wins a premiership, usually their reserves are around the mark as well,’’ he said.

Brisbane Lions stormed to victory over Southport in the decider.

“It is so important, and to have everyone healthy means we can all come out and play good footy and help push the standards.

“I remember a few years ago when we would have five listed players and it was hard for those guys to develop because they are not playing with their teammates.’’