Brisbane’s horror start to 2024 helped bond the Lions for their surge to the preliminary final

Brisbane Lions defender Brandon Starcevich admits his teammates could easily have turned on each other after the club’s poor and controversial start to the season which is now just one win away from a grand final return. Hit with a host injuries as well as rumours of player discontent stemming from an end-of-season trip to Las Vegas, the Lions were seemingly in turmoil, losing five of their first seven games of their 2024 campaign. Making the finals, let alone repeating last season’s effort of reaching the grand final, seemed out reach. “At that time of the year everyone was writing us off,” Starcevich said. “It could have gone one of two ways. We could have turned against each other, or it could have brought us together and united us, and the second one is the mentality that we went with. “It made us a stronger brotherhood and a more connected team. We’re a really tight group with great character.” It’s “character” that has helped the Lions reach a fourth preliminary final in fifth years, with Geelong awaiting them at the MCG on Saturday night. “We want another shot at winning a grand final,” Starcevich said. “That’s where we want to be next week so it’s important that we get everything right (against the Cats). Starcevich was bracing himself for a “very dangerous” Geelong forward line. “Jeremy Cameron’s probably the big threat. He’s been in some good form lately, but their small forwards are really talented as well, and work really hard. “Shaun Mannagh’s come from the clouds. He played well in that qualifying final against Port Adelaide. “They share the load, and they’re really skilful, so we’ll have our hands full.” Starcevich has been pleased with the improvement in his own form at the business end of the season. “I started a bit slow in line with how the team was performing early in the season,” he said. “My start to the year wasn’t too great, and I had a few weeks off with injuries, so I was in and out of the team for a little bit.“Now I’ve been able to get some consistency towards the end of the year, and I feel that my form’s been on the rise” Starcevich was adamant the Lions were focused on Saturday’s task and recovered from the emotional high of last weekend’s thrilling five-point win over the GWS Giants, who at one stage in the third quarter led by 44 points. “After a win like last week it can be easy to get caught up in it, but we know the job’s not finished yet,” he said. “We enjoyed the win and celebrated it, but then we turned our attention to what’s waiting for us. This group’s pretty mature now.” The Lions were accompanied on their flight to Melbourne on Friday morning by a host of Brisbane supporters with Virgin Australia, including “megafans” Alex, Kellie, Cara and Matti Carter, who were treated to flights, match tickets, accommodation and lounge access by the AFL’s official airline partner. For the AFL grand final, Virgin Australia will add up to 4800 seats to and from Melbourne.