Easter Thursday until 2035? Brisbane’s Lions grand plan revealed

2019 has seen the Lions become a major drawcard team. Now, just hours after securing a three-year deal, the club have shared their bold-long-term goal.

Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann hopes securing a three-year Easter Thursday deal will pave way for a decade’s worth of marquee fixtures at the Gabba.

Swann, who was at hand to officially announce the deal on Friday alongside AFL clubs and broadcasting boss Travis Auld, says Brisbane have earned the coveted Easter slot until 2022 — and he’s eager to stretch it even further.

“For us as a footy club, we’ve come a long way in the past few years,” Swann said.

“We pushed really hard last year to get Easter Thursday and our intention is to make it a long-term blockbuster so we want to do it for the next 10-15 years.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones, Brisbane Lions Chief Executive Officer Greg Swann and AFL General Manager of Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld (L) officially announced the three-year Easter Thursday deal on Friday morning. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“Not many interstate clubs get that marquee spot … so for us to be able to get a game locked away at the Gabba for the next three years but for hopefully for longer than that is a testament to where we’ve come from.”

Auld agreed, saying the deal was “evidence of this club quickly gaining respect as one of the most feared clubs in the competition.”

“We’ve seen it here before, we’ve seen it here at this ground and to be awarded a marquee slot is just further evidence of that,” he added.

“Marque slots are highly sought after by clubs and by cities. They deliver national television audiences, it’s a great way to showcase this club and this stadium but also this city.”

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Originally published as Easter Thursday until 2035? Brisbane’s Lions grand plan revealed