Triumphant Brisbane Lions desperate to maintain the rage next season

Having seen Collingwood and Geelong flop the year after winning AFL premierships, the Brisbane Lions are intent on not falling into the same trap.

Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale says the Lions have a “mountain of work” ahead of them to next season avoid the same fate as recent premiership-winning clubs Collingwood and Geelong.

Despite still celebrating their 2024 premiership triumph, which was sealed with last Saturday’s 60-point grand final thrashing of Sydney, the Lions have already had discussions about ensuring they are next season again contenders, a task that will be made harder following the retirement of star forward Joe Daniher.

The Lions have been quick to aid their bid to overcome the loss of Daniher by appointing two-time premiership-winning player and ex-Gold Coast Suns head coach Stuart Dew as the club’s new forwards coach, replacing the departed Murray Davis.

Neale said the Lions could not afford to become complacent as it was “pretty easy to get found out in this competition”.

“We had a good meeting reviewing the year, and then (I) spoke to the players after about celebrating the year that was but (that) we’ve got to bet back to work,” he said.

Neale used examples of what happened to Geelong and Collingwood the season after their respective premierships in 2022 and 2023, with both clubs failing to play finals football the year after they won their flags.

Lachie Neale is already thinking about next season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Collingwood winning the premiership last year, and missing finals (this season), Geelong the year before won it and missed finals the next year – it’s tough to get back there,” he said.

“We know that, we know we’ve got to put in a lot of work, a mountain of work, to get back there.”

And potential back-to-back premierships will have to be achieved without the mercurial Daniher, who confirmed his retirement hours before Brisbane’s Club Champion ceremony on Thursday night.

“I love that guy so much. He does it his own way, but the way that he does it is pretty special,” Neale said of the former Essendon star.

“He’s brought so much to this club, and I don’t think we would have won it (the flag) without him.”

2024 Merret-Murray Club Champion Final Leaderboard 😱 pic.twitter.com/o7gMN3Nb5u

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) October 3, 2024

Neale said he had “no idea” how the Lions would replace Daniher but was sure players would “put their hand up to play in that forward line”.

“Eric (Hipwood) played that No.1 key forward role before Joe got here (in 2021). We had Dan McStay (at that time), but Eric was the guy that was getting the No.1 back at the time and at a young age too.

“He’s experienced that and I think his form through the middle part of this year when his body was feeling good shows that he can play that role really well.

“And we’ve got Logan (Morris) developing, we’ve got Brandon Ryan, Darcy Fort and `O’ (Oscar McInerney), so we might go with two ruckmen.”

Joe Daniher will leave big shoes to fill at the Lions. Picture: Lachie Millard

Former Fremantle star Neale was emotional after winning a club best and fairest award for the sixth time – four with the Lions and two with the Dockers – as it matched the achievement of his idol, Matthew Pavlich.

“I remember as an 18-year-old walking into Fremantle footy club and seeing Matthew Pavlich at the club,” Neale said soon after being awarded the Merrett-Murray Medal.

“He had won six best and fairests by then. I remember seeing his name on the locker with six best and fairests, and I thought ‘that guy’s a God, an immortal, and a South Australian boy as well’.

“I never dreamed that I would become a six-time best and fairest player, so to be equal with him means more than probably people know.

“I love Matthew and what he did for my early days at Fremantle. It’s something that I’m a little bit emotional about, to be equal with him on best and fairest (awards) because that’s a guy I looked up to a lot.

“He did a lot for me, and it’s pretty crazy to think I have the same amount as him.”

Meanwhile, Dew, who joined the Lions earlier this season as a part-time specialist coach after last year being sacked by the Suns, said he “can’t wait” for Brisbane’s 2025 campaign.

“To see the way the club’s leaders, staff and players have remained connected and committed to each other throughout the ups and downs of their journey was so impressive and ultimately rewarded with the premiership,” Dew said.

“I am grateful that (coach) Chris Fagan and (football manager) Danny Daly gave me the opportunity to be involved at the half-way mark of the season and to contribute to September action once again.

“It solidified to me again what it takes to achieve the ultimate success – everyone playing their role and backing each other in.”