Latest news with #JoshDunkley
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Brisbane Lions midfielder Hugh McCluggage continues to add ‘layers' to his game
Brisbane Lions star Hugh McCluggage is showing no signs of slowing down as he approaches his 200th AFL appearance, saying he is constantly evolving as a player as he adds 'layers' to his game. Still only 27, McCluggage – who chalks up his double century of top-flight games on Friday night against the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba – is arguably in career-best form in his ninth season of AFL football. 'As an inside midfielder, I've been able to have a good balance of contested work and uncontested work and (been) trying to add different layers to my game every year,' the Warrnambool product said. '(It has been) a bit of defensive stuff this year that I've worked on alongside Josh Dunkley and Lachie (Neale), and the other mids, and I'm always trying to improve. 'That's what keeps me motivated to keep playing for as long as I can. 'I've been pretty lucky being able to play a lot of games in a row since I debuted (in April 2017 against St Kilda).' Including his debut game, McCluggage has played in 199 of Brisbane's past 204 matches. 'I've only missed a handful, so it's a testament to all the hard work but also the work of everyone else around the club to help get me to this milestone, and hopefully there's plenty more to come,' he said. However, only nine of McCluggage's first 40 appearances ended up wins for Brisbane, as the Lions struggled in his first two seasons at the club. Other players in his situation might have asked for a trade to a Victorian club, which would have given him the chance to not only return home but also potentially taste more success. But McCluggage had no intention of turning his back on his Brisbane teammates and Chris Fagan, who remains the only head coach he has played under at AFL level. 'I could see that it was a really tight group. We had some really good leaders here already that probably just hadn't had the opportunity to play in the good side, so I was really keen to help guys like 'Zorks' (Dayne Zorko) and 'Frog' (Ryan Lester) play in some finals,' he said. 'Helping those guys achieve what they deserved was one of the motivating factors, and then also how close I was with guys like Jarrod Berry, Cam Rayner, Zac Bailey, 'Zorks', 'Frog', Dizz (Darcy Gardiner), Harris (Andrews) … the list goes on. 'They helped us when we first got here, we became really close, we've learned a lot of lessons along the way, and I think if you achieve success with people that you've gone through the ups and downs with, there's nothing that can compare to that. 'Probably in our wildest dreams we couldn't imagine we'd do what we've done in terms of the consistency that we've been able to play at, and winning a premiership as well is pretty special.' McCluggage also paid tribute to 'father figure' Fagan. 'In all the ups and the downs, he's been there the whole time. He wraps an arm around you when he when he realises that you need it, but he also is someone that can challenge you, and he's always wanted to help me grow in that way,' he said of the man who guided Brisbane to last season's flag. 'I couldn't imagine having anyone else as a coach because I've had him the whole time, and I've just really enjoyed working with him day in, day out.'
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Brisbane Lions win goes viral after French woman hears her anthem and calls Bill Stephen's team song stolen
Brisbane Lions win goes viral after French woman hears her anthem and calls Bill Stephen's team song stolen (Image Via X) A French traveller, known on TikTok as @bonjourmelbourne, was stunned during a Brisbane Lions match at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Thursday night. As the Brisbane Lions sang their theme song after defeating Carlton by 37 points, she suddenly recognised the tune. With her jaw dropping, she asked: 'Can someone explain why the French anthem is the Brisbane Lions theme song?' This unexpected realisation sparked surprise and curiosity across social media and among footy fans. Bill Stephen and the 1952 inspiration at Fitzroy On an end-of-season trip to Perth in 1952, former Fitzroy player Bill Stephen and his teammates were riding a train when they watched the film Casablanca. In one scene, German soldiers sing their anthem in a restaurant, but are eventually drowned out by the French singing La Marseillaise. Bill Stephen, struck by the moment, decided Fitzroy needed a unifying song. — lionsdi (@lionsdi) He then used the tune of La Marseillaise to create a team song. He wrote the first line, 'We are the boys from Fitzroy, my lads,' and invited other players to contribute lines. They reportedly sang it around 30,000 times by the time they returned to Melbourne. Though the French Embassy expressed concern, its officials accepted the song as a tribute. The tune became the enduring anthem of Fitzroy. Also Read: AFL Loses A Gem: 40-Year-Old Troy Selwood, A Former Brisbane Lions Midfielder Josh Dunkley, Noah Answerth and modern context in Melbourne At Marvel Stadium on Thursday, the Brisbane Lions, now playing under the merged identity of Fitzroy and Brisbane Bears since 1997, celebrated their 15.13 (103) to 9.12 (66) victory over the Carlton Blues. Key players included Josh Dunkley (28 disposals, 13 tackles), awarded the inaugural Robert Walls Medal; Lachie Neale (31 disposals); Dayne Zorko (28); Will Ashcroft (28); and Charlie Cameron, who scored three goals. The only downside was a suspected season‑ending Achilles injury to defender Noah Answerth, substituted before halftime. Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan praised the team's pressure tactics: 'We got 35 forward-half turnovers, 20 tackles inside‑50… All that was on the back of pressure and good tackling.' After the win, the stadium resonated with 'The Pride of Brisbane Town', its melody unmistakably French which left the French visitor in awe and many football fans amused. This amazing connection between French national pride and Australian football spanned decades from Bill Stephen's 1952 matchday inspiration to the modern roar of Brisbane Lions players and fans. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFLPA interim boss Ben Smith says players ‘open to' conversation about mid-season cup
AFL players would embrace the possibility of a mid-season tournament and are open to 'innovation' as a long end to 2025 looms, with only one team outside the eight a genuine chance of breaking in with seven rounds remaining. The prospect of a mid-season tournament, like one played in the NBA, was flagged to club chief executives last week as a way for the AFL to generate interest during the quieter period of the year and possibly open the door for extra finals qualifications. Brisbane premiership winner Josh Dunkley threw his support behind the idea and interim AFL Players' Association boss Ben Smith said while the association had not had any part in discussions, he confirmed the players would be open to evolving the game. 'Obviously, at the moment we haven't had any dialogue with the AFL in relation to this,' Smith said on SEN Breakfast. 'But we are partners in the game and that's how the revenue share model works. I think the players are an important part of this conversation and we will be. 'We're open to innovation in the game, I think that's important, but in relation to this mid-season competition, it's not something that's been discussed with us. 'I think there's a point there in relation to there's one success in the grand final and what other options exist for us to find success through the season and opportunities to engage fans in the game. 'I think we're open to that conversation, whether that's State of Origin and the possibilities there or this type of thing – let's have that dialogue.' Smith said if the in-season tournament added to the number of games, it would accelerate discussion around shortened quarters. 'I think there's a lot of footy now and talk of more potentially,' Smith said. 'I think those things, quarter lengths and all those things, are a part of that conversation if we're looking to expansion.' The shortened quarters is a topic that former AFLPA president and Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield feels strongly about. He told NewsWire in March that he wanted to introduce shorter games to bring back 'footy's heyday'. 'I think reducing quarters could potentially mean more games in shorter breaks because it's not as physically demanding,' he said. 'Everyone talks about the '80s as the heyday and reducing quarters would just fall in line with what the game length was back then, which was 120 minutes. 'We're well in excess of 130-plus now. Everyone talks about the heyday, well, this is one way to get back to that, I think.' Smith said a mid-season tournament fell into the same category of State of Origin. The AFLPA is open to the conversation but wants to see the AFL's long-term vision before committing. 'I think the players have got a real appetite to consider and look at State of Origin football,' he said. 'We've had that discussion with the AFL, but I think that point around having a strategic focus, what are we doing with it? What's the long-term sustainability of it as well? 'I think the players, if they're going to play it, want it to have a future – I think, what's the plan? What does it look like in 10 years' time? 'That is something the players are really keen to understand and then commit to.'
The Australian
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
AFL: Brisbane Lions star Josh Dunkley backs in-season tournament
Brisbane Lions star Josh Dunkley has backed the idea of an in-season tournament, believing it would not only create excitement but also help reduce the 'competitive advantage' that exists in the AFL. Reportedly discussed last week at a meeting of club chief executives, a lucrative secondary tournament, similar to the NBA Cup concept, is apparently being considered for 2028 when Tasmania enters the competition . It would lead to clubs playing each other only once in the regular season, most likely in addition to Gather Round and Rivalry Round matches. 'It'd be great,' Dunkley said on Tuesday. 'If we can play every team once and then have a little in-season tournament, like the NBA do … it'd be really exciting for the competition.' Dunkley said it would also lead to a 'fairer' regular season schedule that was compromised by all teams not playing each other the same amount of times. Lions vice-captain Josh Dunkley says an in-season tournament would be 'exciting' for the competition. Picture:'When you play everyone once, it's good, it's fair, and you get to see how you go against opposition in one game,' he said. 'At the moment, there are times where we're playing different teams and other teams are playing different teams, and the competitive advantage is always a bit of a question mark for a lot of people. 'For us, it's about playing the best, and everyone, once, and then that mid-season tournament would be pretty cool.' Dunkley also supported the introduction of a wildcard finals round and the return of State of Origin football. '(This year) we saw the Indigenous All-Stars play that game before the season started, and that was really exciting,' he said. 'To be able to do that across the states of origin that you can represent, and go back to your state and enjoy that moment with other players that are from similar areas, that's priceless. 'I'm not sure the time of year that it's played, but if it is played mid-season, it'd be exciting.' Former Western Bulldog Dunkley and the second-placed Lions are chasing a hat-trick of wins when they meet struggling Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night. The Blues are in 12th place on the ladder with just six wins from 16 games, with pressure mounting on coach Michael Voss, who captained the Lions to three successive premierships from 2001 to 2003. Josh Dunkley and Lions are chasing a hat-trick of wins on Thursday night. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images 'I've experienced when you're a bit under pressure at a Melbourne footy club, and it is hard, but you also (feel) there's nothing to lose,' said Dunkley in anticipation of a desperate Blues performance. 'That element of their mental thinking behind the game will be that their backs are against the wall. They've got nothing to lose, so we've got to really prepare for that. 'You get the best footy out of teams when they're thinking like that, and they've got that freedom in their game, so we're going to have to be on edge on Thursday night because they'll be rocking up, and we know that they'll play their best footy.' The Brisbane vice-captain said the Lions would relish another road trip, having lost just once in eight games outside of Queensland this season, as well as winning three successive matches interstate in last year's finals series to clinch the premiership. 'We love getting away together. We talk about our brotherhood, our mateship, and relationships that we have, not only as players but with the staff and the coaches,' Dunkley said. 'It's been nice to be able to have a good record, but we don't really look at that. We look at what we're facing this week, and that's the Blues, who will be red-hot.' Marco Monteverde Sports reporter Marco Monteverde is a Brisbane-based sports reporter for NCA Newswire. He worked in a similar role for The Courier-Mail from 2007 to 2020. During a journalism career of more than 25 years, he has also worked for The Queensland Times, The Sunshine Coast Daily, The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The North West Star. He has covered three FIFA World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as a host of other major sporting events in Australia and around the world. @marcothejourno Marco Monteverde
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Brisbane Lions star Josh Dunkley says introduction of secondary tournament would help reduce ‘competitive advantage' in AFL
Brisbane Lions star Josh Dunkley has backed the idea of an in-season tournament, believing it would not only create excitement but also help reduce the 'competitive advantage' that exists in the AFL. Reportedly discussed last week at a meeting of club chief executives, a lucrative secondary tournament, similar to the NBA Cup concept, is apparently being considered for 2028 when Tasmania enters the competition . It would lead to clubs playing each other only once in the regular season, most likely in addition to Gather Round and Rivalry Round matches. 'It'd be great,' Dunkley said on Tuesday. 'If we can play every team once and then have a little in-season tournament, like the NBA do … it'd be really exciting for the competition.' Dunkley said it would also lead to a 'fairer' regular season schedule that was compromised by all teams not playing each other the same amount of times. 'When you play everyone once, it's good, it's fair, and you get to see how you go against opposition in one game,' he said. 'At the moment, there are times where we're playing different teams and other teams are playing different teams, and the competitive advantage is always a bit of a question mark for a lot of people. 'For us, it's about playing the best, and everyone, once, and then that mid-season tournament would be pretty cool.' Dunkley also supported the introduction of a wildcard finals round and the return of State of Origin football. '(This year) we saw the Indigenous All-Stars play that game before the season started, and that was really exciting,' he said. 'To be able to do that across the states of origin that you can represent, and go back to your state and enjoy that moment with other players that are from similar areas, that's priceless. 'I'm not sure the time of year that it's played, but if it is played mid-season, it'd be exciting.' Former Western Bulldog Dunkley and the second-placed Lions are chasing a hat-trick of wins when they meet struggling Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night. The Blues are in 12th place on the ladder with just six wins from 16 games, with pressure mounting on coach Michael Voss, who captained the Lions to three successive premierships from 2001 to 2003. 'I've experienced when you're a bit under pressure at a Melbourne footy club, and it is hard, but you also (feel) there's nothing to lose,' said Dunkley in anticipation of a desperate Blues performance. 'That element of their mental thinking behind the game will be that their backs are against the wall. They've got nothing to lose, so we've got to really prepare for that. 'You get the best footy out of teams when they're thinking like that, and they've got that freedom in their game, so we're going to have to be on edge on Thursday night because they'll be rocking up, and we know that they'll play their best footy.' The Brisbane vice-captain said the Lions would relish another road trip, having lost just once in eight games outside of Queensland this season, as well as winning three successive matches interstate in last year's finals series to clinch the premiership. 'We love getting away together. We talk about our brotherhood, our mateship, and relationships that we have, not only as players but with the staff and the coaches,' Dunkley said. 'It's been nice to be able to have a good record, but we don't really look at that. We look at what we're facing this week, and that's the Blues, who will be red-hot.'
