Brisbane Lions Dominate Geelong for Consecutive AFL Championship

The Brisbane Lions secured their second consecutive Australian Football League (AFL) championship on September 30, 2023, defeating the Geelong Cats by 47 points in a commanding Grand Final performance. The match, held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, saw a crowd of 100,022 spectators witness a thrilling contest that ultimately highlighted Brisbane’s dominance in modern Australian Rules football.

Strong performances from forwards Charlie Cameron and Hugh McCluggage, who each scored four goals, propelled the Lions to an impressive victory. Cameron played a crucial role in breaking Geelong’s early resilience, delivering a decisive three-goal burst late in the third quarter. McCluggage followed up with three goals in the final quarter, contributing to Brisbane’s remarkable tally of nine goals in that period. The final score was 18.14 (122) to 11.9 (75).

With this win, the Lions claimed their fifth championship in the past 25 years, solidifying their status as one of the most successful teams in AFL history. Midfielder Will Ashcroft was awarded the Norm Smith Medal for being the best player on the ground, marking his second consecutive victory in this category after his standout performance in last year’s Grand Final against Sydney.

Reflecting on the match, Ashcroft stated, “We knew we were going to be in for a battle today. To the Brisbane Lions footy club, from top to bottom, everyone puts in so much work. We keep turning up and battling through adversity.” He expressed excitement for the celebrations ahead while acknowledging the need to prepare for the upcoming season.

Geelong, aiming for their fifth trophy of the century, struggled to maintain their momentum after an impressive qualifying final victory over Brisbane just three weeks earlier. The Cats initially took a two-goal lead early in the second quarter but were unable to sustain their advantage. The teams went into halftime tied at 5.6 (36), setting the stage for a fiercely contested second half.

The turning point came when Cameron’s three goals shifted the game’s trajectory. Despite Geelong ruckman Mark Blicavs narrowing the gap with a goal that brought the lead down to 21 points, the Lions swiftly responded with seven unanswered goals, leading to Geelong’s heaviest Grand Final defeat since a 61-point loss to Carlton in 1995.

Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield, who had been instrumental in their previous matches, found himself limited to just 10 disposals during the Grand Final. He acknowledged Brisbane’s superior performance, stating, “We don’t as Australians always celebrate those who come second all that well, but there’s plenty to be proud of. To Brisbane, you were far too good. Congratulations, enjoy your celebrations.”

As the Brisbane Lions celebrate their historic achievement, the focus will soon shift to the next season, where they aim to continue their winning streak and further cement their legacy in the AFL.