Latest news with #BrisbaneLions
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Brisbane Lions co-captain Harris Andrews says AFL will be better with the addition of Greg Swann
Brisbane co-captain Harris Andrews will miss the 'energy' of departing Lions chief executive officer Greg Swann but says his move to AFL headquarters will be for the betterment of the competition and supporters. Swann will leave the Lions next month after 11 years at the club after being poached by the AFL to become the organisation's head of football performance, with his duties including taking charge of game analysis, match review, player movement and laws of the game. 'It's exciting for the AFL to get someone that's so accomplished and with such great perspective,' Andrews said. 'He's a fan of the game, so he thinks about things like that. For the AFL to get someone in that position to think about what's going to be best for the fans as well is important.' Having arrived at the Lions in the same year as Swann, Andrews has seen everything that the veteran administrator has done to help turn the club into an AFL powerhouse on and off the field. 'We're obviously sad to lose him … he's been a real rock for us as a club,' Andrews said. 'He's overseen some unbelievable projects. Where we're standing right now probably doesn't happen if he's not there. 'He's just brought so much to us as a club and someone that you know you can have a good laugh with. 'He comes down to the footy department area and always brings a bit of energy, so he'll be heavily missed.' However, Andrews was also excited about what Swann's replacement at the Lions, Sam Graham, would bring to the club's chief executive role. The younger brother of former Geelong star Ben Graham, Sam has been at the Lions for more than 18 months in the job of chief operating officer. Before that, his roles included AFL NSW/ACT chief executive, general manager of Tasmania's taskforce and industry engagement and a job in strategy in the AFL's executive team. 'I'm really excited for Sam and the opportunity that's come up,' Andrews said. 'He's a great guy. He's made a real impact since he has come to the footy club and someone that is a really familiar face. 'It's a very exciting time.' The second-placed Lions will chase their 10th win of the season on Friday night when they travel to Adelaide Oval to meet the Adelaide Crows. The Crows have also started the season strongly, sitting in third place with eight wins from 12 matches. 'It's a great challenge … something that I'm really looking forward to. We're coming up against a really quality opposition team on their home deck,' Andrews said. 'We as a team have done a really great job on the road this year and put some good performances out there. 'We'll get some good feedback about where we're at.'
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Greg Swann to leave Brisbane Lions to job with AFL as head of football performance
Departing Lions chief executive officer Greg Swann is proud to be leaving Brisbane as a club that fans 'want to support' and footballers 'want to play for'. Swann will return to Melbourne next month after 11 years in charge of the Lions to start a new job with the AFL. Swann has been appointed the AFL's head of football performance, with his duties including taking charge of game analysis, match review, player movement and laws of the game. Despite being 'ready for next career challenge', 63-year-old Swann – previously a chief executive at Collingwood and Carlton – said he was also 'sad' to be leaving the Lions. 'When I started (in July 2014), there were some challenging times, but the Lions are now a club fans want to support, and importantly we're a club players want to play for,' he said. 'Claiming the two AFLW flags (2021, 2023) and the 2024 AFL premiership are the highlights, but across the board, the club is now in a really strong position on and off the field. 'We'll soon be debt free, membership is at record levels, we have a great list across both the men's and women's teams, our base at Brighton Homes Arena is one of the best in the Australian sport, and we have certainty and clarity moving forward with the new Victoria Park stadium. 'It is the efforts of a wide range of committed and connected people who have managed to turn this club around and shape the club we have become.' Lions chairman Andrew Wellington said Swann's 'steady hand and experience' had been 'crucial' to Brisbane's 'renewed success'. 'He's been a terrific leader during some challenging times, and it has been a pleasure to work alongside him as a colleague and friend,' Wellington said. 'We wish Greg all the best with the AFL and know he will make the same positive impact on the code that he has at the Lions.' Current Lions chief operating officer Sam Graham will replace Swann in the top job. 'Sam has been our chief operating officer for more than 18 months now. In that time, he has demonstrated his strong capabilities and built strong relationships within the club and with our key stakeholders,' Wellington said. 'I am confident he will hit the ground running.'
News.com.au
6 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Essendon coach Brad Scott leaves Brisbane a happy man after leading reigning premiers in final quarter
Essendon coach Brad Scott says the Bombers took a 'huge step forward' at the Gabba on Thursday night despite an 18-point loss to Brisbane that defied pre-game thoughts of doom and gloom for his injury-ravaged club. Scott lauded superstar draftee Nate Caddy, declaring his two-goal effort against the Lions was the 'best game he's played' and left the Gabba happy in the wake of defeat. Trailing by 32 points at quarter-time, the undermanned Bombers clawed their way into the contest and hit the front in the final quarter. However, the Lions regrouped, kicking the final three goals of the game to win 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72). 'They were dominant clearly to start the game and jumped us, but I thought we wrestled our way back into the contest really well,' Scott said. 'It wasn't as if I felt like we let it slip. We fought our way back in, got back in front, and they responded as good teams do.' Scott was proud of his young team's 'fight' and 'exuberance'. 'It was a huge step forward for us in terms of everything – character, fight, effort, contest, the exuberance of youth, young players who don't use that as an excuse,' he said. 'We have expectations. We think those players that we selected are capable and that's been our message to them, and they held up their end of the bargain. 'There were a number of critical contests where our players stood up, but to Brisbane's credit, they're a good side, and when challenged, they respond. 'We were able to defend reasonably well but not well enough over the course of the game to be considered a top-tier side, but if you're going to test out your defence, playing against Brisbane at the Gabba is a good way to do that. 'The foundation of the game is the contest, and I think that that stood up fairly well tonight.' The Bombers also stood up well in attack, particularly in the third quarter when Caddy kicked a contender for goal of the season during an impressive burst that gave the Bombers hope of causing an upset. 'That's the best game I've seen him play and not just because of the goal over his head,' Scott said of Caddy. 'He's going to learn that he's capable of challenging the best key defenders (Harris Andrews) in the competition. 'He's just a really impressive athlete, and he can do things that others can't. 'There's not many 19-year-olds who can, when Peter Wright's in the ruck and Todd Goldstein's having a well-earned rest, he's holding up, you know, a forward line. 'I can't recall too many 19-year-olds doing that. He's been terrific for us, and we still think there's so much upside, so clearly we're excited.'
News.com.au
7 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Lions hold off Bombers fight back
AFL: Brisbane have walked away victorious at the Gabba but not without an impressive fight from a depleted Essendon outfit who almost pulled off a stunning comeback.
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Lions fight back to deny Essendon the ‘upset of the year'
Brisbane has survived an inspired challenge from injury-ravaged Essendon to climb to the top of the AFL ladder with an 18-point win on Thursday night. It was a brave fightback from the Bombers after coughing up six of the first seven goals of the match at the Gabba. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Young Bomber Nate Caddy's breakout game sparked an Essendon fightback in the third term as the visitors drew level. 'Not a person in Australia would have given them a hope at quarter time,' Fox Footy's Jonathan Brown said. Dubbing it potentially the 'upset of the year' as Peter Wright gave the Bombers the lead early in the fourth, in the end Brisbane's experience got them across the line with a 13.12 (90) to 11.6 (72) victory. The reigning premiers now sit half a game clear of Collingwood, who have a game in hand, and six points clear of the third-placed Suns who have played two less games. 'I think Chris Fagan would be really disappointed about the Lions tonight,' three-time premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt said. 'They get the points and roll on.' The highlight of the night was Caddy's goal of the year contender in the wet conditions. Only minutes after a horror miss, Caddy more than made up for that effort with a stunning goal. With Jade Gresham keeping the ball alive from the boundary, Caddy was able to gather the footy and instead of attempting to turn around he simply opted to kick the footy over his head. 'It's a miraculous goal from the young man and we're all square at the Gabba,' Fox Footy's Matt Hill said. 'A Thursday night speccy!' The goal ensured scores were level for the first time since early in the first term. 'How good is that?' Riewoldt said. 'He took the big contested mark only about 10 minutes ago and ran into the open goal and missed it. 'I love this. I don't know whether this is conventional, but we love it from this Bombers young gun. 'The kick over the head. He absolutely flushed it. The nous to even think about doing it at that point in time. 'Is this the arrival of Nate Caddy?' It wasn't quite enough for the visitors, but it ended up being a promising performance from the Bombers against the ladder leaders.
