Brandon Starcevich on Brisbane’s 2023 Grand Final heartbreak and the influence of teammate Tom Doedee

Brandon Starcevich has opened up on the agonising moments after Brisbane’s 2023 Grand Final loss and how a raw admission from teammate Jarrod Berry has fuelled his push for redemption.

It’s the battle scar that proves Brisbane Lions defender Brandon Starcevich is ready to do whatever it takes to make amends for last year’s grand final heartbreak.

His reward for a stunning second-half display against Geelong was a pat on the back from his teammates and a 2cm gash in his brow – cause unknown, though likely from one of the numerous times the 25 year old launched himself at the football with reckless abandon.

By Saturday the stitches will have come out. But Starcevich will carry the wound with him into battle against the Swans, just as he has carried the emotional scars of the four-point grand final loss to Collingwood last September.

“It’s all a bit of a blur, as cliche as it is,” he says.

“I just remember that final siren and the heartbreak afterwards when all the little moments are running through your head.”

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Teammate Jarrod Berry drew praise across the AFL world this week after reflecting on the raw emotion and regret that he felt in the days and weeks after last year’s decider.

Berry, who conceded the 50m penalty that allowed Steele Sidebottom to kick Collingwood ahead that day, spoke of the responsibility he felt to repay his teammates after dwelling on that disappointment throughout the off-season.

Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill climbs on Brandon Starcevich during last year’s Grand Final. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Starcevich says Berry’s “pretty powerful” words stirred feelings in him and likely other teammates as well.

“I’m sure everyone feels the same thing.

“Those sort of things you probably don’t share with each other a whole lot, but you know other people are feeling it too. And it’s important that you learn from it.”

Starcevich has his own moments he wishes he could have again.

Like in the second quarter, when he lost the ball in the sun and became a stepladder for eventual Norm Smith Medallist, Bobby Hill, to take one of the great grand final marks.

Brandon Starcevich at training. Picture: Lachie Millard

Starcevich in possession during Brisbane’s semi-final victory over GWS Giants. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

And in the third quarter when he was caught trailing Hill again, which ended in a Scott Pendlebury goal.

On an afternoon in which he was 95 per cent perfect, it is the five per cent that kept Starcevich up at night.

“When the margin is that close you think down to all the really little things that might have happened in the game,” he says.

“If you save a goal or a point the result could be completely different, so I think it’s only normal when you feel those things.

“That has been a driving influence through the off-season, pre-season and it bobs its head up every now and then through the year. It’s certainly been a motivator this year.”

Bobby Hill slips Brandon Starcevich during last year’s decider. Picture: Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

He has worked closely with the club’s performance psychologist, Anthony Klarica, this year. Klarica was embedded at Hawthorn during the club’s three-peat era and has followed Chris Fagan to the Lions.

“He’s been very active in reaching out to us and offering support. Just about everyone has got an individual plan or whatever it is,” Starcevich says.

“Mine is a lot about staying in the moment and doing what I can to bring myself back to what is happening now. I think that’s really important in games of footy and especially in finals.”

With the road to redemption laid before him this season, Starcevich had to contend with another hurdle: Tom Doedee.

The Lions had headhunted the wantaway Crow in the off-season and suddenly the pressure was on both he and veteran Ryan Lester to hold their place in the side.

One of the unsung heroes of Brisbane’s back six over the past five years, Starcevich felt his form during the early stages of 2024 was not up to scratch. As Doedee edged closer to returning from an ACL injury, he feared he could be the man on the chopping block.

Darcy Gardiner and Brandon Starcevich during last year’s Grand Final parade. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Absolutely you start to feel that pressure,” he says.

“In the first part of the year I probably wasn’t playing very good football and that thought definitely crept into my head. But it’s a good thing, it’s good pressure. You should be honoured to feel that sort of pressure.”

Fittingly, Starcevich and Lester were two of the cornerstones in Brisbane’s preliminary final revival.

Starcevich kept Tyson Stengle goalless and Lester limited Jeremy Cameron to just two goals and none after halftime.

“He’s one of those guys you couldn’t be happier for,” Starcevich says of Lester.

“He’s faced a lot of adversity throughout his career … everyone can draw inspiration from ‘Frog’ and how he goes about his week-to-week.

Brandon Starcevich and Lachie Neale lead the Lions out at an open training session. Picture Lachie Millard

“If that situation had played out with Tom coming into the team, I felt the pressure I can’t lie — I thought he might take my spot. I have no doubt he (Lester) would have been feeling it too. But he would have taken it in his stride. That’s what he’s done for his whole career now.”

The experienced defensive duo will once again have key roles to play this weekend.

Silky-skilled Swans small forward Tom Papley has booted five goals in his two finals appearances and looms as a potential matchwinner.

Starcevich kept Papley goalless in the round 19 meeting at the Gabba before the Swans forward went off with an ankle injury at halftime. Their battle could decide the outcome of the grand final.

All the talk this week will be about the battle of the two brilliant midfields.

But don’t be surprised if it’s one of Brisbane’s backline generals who has the decisive say on Saturday.

After last year’s heartbreak, Starcevich is ready to be that person.

Originally published as Brandon Starcevich on Brisbane’s 2023 Grand Final heartbreak and the influence of teammate Tom Doedee