This was a premiership for the ages.

In the 129 years of the V/AFL, there would not be a premier who has lifted the cup with a deck as stacked against them as Brisbane’s latest back-to-back premiership team. Undeniably, the Lions’ fifth flag (as a merged entity) has been won the hard way.

The Lions celebrate on the siren. Credit: Jason South

The Lions overcame close to every difficulty imaginable to win the 2025 flag – injuries, a tougher fixture and a shorter pre-season – and on grand final day an opponent that had enjoyed the saloon passage through to football’s biggest day.

The 47-point margin suggests a romp but until time-on in the third quarter, few could have predicted with any confidence where this game was headed.

Not even the most one-eyed Lions supporters could have

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