Lyons brothers reunited as Jarryd joins Corey in Tigers’ den

SANFL back-to-back premier Glenelg has pulled off a recruiting coup, signing former Brisbane star Jarryd Lyons to join his brother Corey at the Bay, writes Andrew Capel.

In the end, blood proved thicker than water for Jarryd Lyons.

Heavily courted by South Australian AFL clubs Adelaide and Port Adelaide to play for their SANFL teams after retiring from the AFL and deciding to return to SA for family reasons, Lyons revealed he could not pass up the opportunity to reunite with his younger brother Corey at Glenelg.

“The fact that Corey was playing at Glenelg made the decision a lot easier for me,’’ Jarryd said after this week becoming the SANFL’s latest boom recruit by signing a one-year contract with the Tigers – a club he played 37 games with from 2011-13 when was on the Crows’ AFL list.

“I’ve hardly played any senior football with Corey, which is something I’ve always wanted to do, so this was a great opportunity to do that.

“I didn’t want to look back later and regret missing that chance. Family is a big thing for us and it will be great fun and really nice to play together.

“I also have fond memories of my time as a Glenelg player, I’m number 998 on the club’s player board, so it’s nice to be back.

Jarryd Lyons (right) with his brother, Corey, at Glenelg Oval, after signing with the Tigers. Picture: Mark Brake

“I remember my first game for Glenelg against Sturt was played in front of 9000 people here (at Glenelg Oval), so I’m really excited to get back in front of the Bays faithful again.’’

Remarkably for two high-profile footballing brothers, the Lyons’ have played only one senior game together – and that didn’t really count, being an AFL pre-season practice match for Brisbane in 2019.

Jarryd, 32, is six years older than fellow midfielder Corey but the pair spent two seasons together on the Lions’ list in 2019-20 before Corey was delisted.

Corey joined Glenelg in 2022 and has starred in the club’s back-to-back premierships in the past two seasons, winning the 2023 best and fairest award and making The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year in the same season.

Now rivals will be seeing double.

“When Jarryd came across from Gold Coast to Brisbane it was pretty exciting because I thought we’d have a chance of playing AFL together but unfortunately that didn’t eventuate,’’ Corey, 26, said.

“For him to now be here at Glenelg and be able to fulfil that dream is going to be pretty exciting.

“I did say to him that if he ended up going to the Crows or Port I would have to give him a bath twice a year but it’s far better to be on his team than playing against him.’’

Jarryd will be one of the SANFL’s headline recruits for 2025.

Jarryd Lyons celebrates kicking a goal for the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

After being drafted by the Crows at pick 61 at the 2010 AFL national draft from Victorian under-18 side Sandringham Dragons, he played 194 AFL games and kicked 102 goals in a 14-year career at three clubs.

The clever inside midfielder played 55 games for Adelaide from 2011-16, 37 for Gold Coast from 2017-18 and 102 for Brisbane from 2019-24.

Jarryd finished equal-ninth in the Brownlow Medal in 2021, polling 23 votes, but lost his place in the Lions’ star-studded midfield this year, playing just three games, and did not feature in their stunning grand final demolition of Sydney.

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said in six years with the Lions, he became “one of the best midfielders in the AFL’’.

“He became one of the toughest guys to play against, one of the best stoppage players, one of the guys with the best hands and best footy brains,’’ he said.

Jarryd, who met his wife Savahna in Adelaide during his time with the Crows – the couple now have two children, Sebastian, 5, and Lara, 3 – wants to join the AFL coaching ranks when he retires as a player, with the Crows and Power looming as strong options.

But he believes he still has plenty to offer as a player.

“I want to continue to play at a high level, which the SANFL offers, and feel really confident with my footy and body,’’ Jarryd said.

Jarryd Lyons with his children, Lara and Sebastian, at the AFL grand final retirement motorcade at the MCG. Picture: Lachie Millard

“I played some strong VFL footy this year, so I think I can slot into the SANFL pretty well for a year or two.

“Coaching in the AFL is a bit of a dream for me at some stage, so hopefully that develops into something as the years go on, but for the time being I’m happy to step away from the AFL for a little bit and try to play some good footy here while also helping Glenelg’s younger guys.’’

While the Victorian-born pair haven’t played much senior footy together, Corey believes they will have plenty of on-field synergy when they line up alongside each other in the black and gold.

“We were kicking a football around the backyard together for as long as I can remember and played all sorts of sports together, so I’m sure it will all come back to us when we get out on the field together again,’’ he said.

Glenelg will be chasing three consecutive premierships for the first time in club history, which Corey said would be a major driving force next season.

“To win three in a row would be pretty special,’’ he said.

“The more you taste success, the more you want it, and this group has a real drive to be the greatest (Glenelg side) of all time.’’

Originally published as Lyons brothers reunited as Jarryd joins Corey in Tigers’ den