Roaring with pride – AFL Queensland throws its support behind the Brisbane Lions

AFL Queensland is so proud to support the mighty Brisbane Lions as they head into this weekend’s NAB AFLW Grand Final.

It comes as participation in girls and women’s football in Queensland continues to soar to new heights.

A stunning season, which saw the Lions win seven of nine games, culminated with a nail biting finish at the hands of Collingwood at the Gabba on the weekend.

The side now heads to South Australia and the famed Adelaide Oval to take on two-time Premiership winners the Adelaide Crows, in what will be a repeat of the competition’s inaugural grand final in 2017.

Head of AFL Queensland, Trisha Squires, said everyone in the Sunshine State was behind them in their quest to win their maiden premiership.

“Congratulations to the entire Brisbane Lions team; players, coaches and officials, for booking a spot in Saturday’s big dance,” she said.

“It’s incredibly exciting and we’re looking forward to cheering you on, be it at the game in Adelaide or from living rooms and footy clubhouses around the state.

“The progress of women’s football remains a steadfast priority for the AFL, and even more so in Queensland where we are continuing to see remarkable growth in community football.

“There’s no doubt the growth of girls and women’s football in Queensland has been spurred on by having two teams in the AFLW; the Lions and the Gold Coast SUNS.”

Junior girls (under eight to 11) participation in South East Queensland is up 30% compared to this time last year.

Across Queensland, there’s been more than a 300% increase in female football participation, with 42% of all participants in the state now female.

“The players are fantastic role models to our young girls (and boys) and those aspiring to play football, whether it’s kicking the ball at their local club or playing in the AFLW. And not just that, they’re an inspiration for women to become coaches, umpires and administrators” said Ms Squires.

“What’s really special about this Lions outfit is that 78% of the team were drafted from Queensland, and played their senior and junior footy in local cubs around the state.”

In another step forward for the growth of the game in Queensland, this year see’s the introduction of an under nine girls competition for the first time, to complete the female pathway and complement the progress made in the female game over recent years.

The competition will be played in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with plans to expand into the Darling Downs and Sunshine Coast and then the rest of Queensland.

The under 11 girls competition, which is in it’s second year, has more than 50 teams registered for 2021.

Round six of the QAFLW competition was played on the weekend, with Bond University, University of Queensland and Coorparoo at the top spots on the ladder.

Brisbane Lions playing list and history: