The Brisbane Lions started the millennium in blistering form, competing in 4 consecutive Australian Football League (AFL) grand finals from 2001 to 2004, and winning the first 3. As the 20-year anniversary of that last premiership approaches, however, the Queensland club is yet to reappear in a grand final since the 2004 defeat. After a run to the preliminary finals during the 2022 season, the Brisbane Lions will be looking to record another strong campaign, and after recruiting a stable of young stars ahead of this season, the club’s future does look bright. Among those signed for this season is Darryl McDowell-White Junior, whose father Darryl White helped the Lions to a trio of premierships in the early 2000’s; will he be among those to make the difference for Brisbane this term?
2023 Squad
Head Coach
Chris Fagan (AUS)
Defenders
Keidean Coleman (AUS)
Ryan Lester (AUS)
James Madden (IRE)
Conor McKenna (NIR)
Carter Michael (AUS)
Jaxon Prior (AUS)
Daniel Rich (AUS)
Brandon Starcevich (AUS)
Key Defenders
Marcus Adams (AUS)
Harris Andrews (AUS) “C”
Darragh Joyce (IRE)
Darcy Gardiner (AUS)
Jack Payne (AUS)
Midfielders
Callum Ah Chee (AUS)
Will Ashcroft (AUS)
Zac Bailey (AUS)
Jarrod Berry (AUS)
Josh Dunkley (AUS)
Jaspa Fletcher (AUS)
Jarryd Lyons (AUS)
Rhys Mathieson (AUS)
Hugh McCluggage (AUS) “VC”
Lachie Neale (AUS) “C”
Deven Robertson (AUS)
Harry Sharp (AUS)
Darcy Wilmot (AUS)
Dayne Zorko (AUS)
Ruckmen
Darcy Fort (AUS)
Kalin Lane (AUS)
Oscar McInerney (AUS)
Forwards
Noah Answerth (AUS)
Shadeau Brain (AUS)
Charlie Cameron (AUS)
Nakia Cockatoo (AUS)
Blake Coleman (AUS)
Kai Lohmann (AUS)
Lincoln McCarthy (AUS)
Darryl McDowell-White (AUS)
Cam Rayner (AUS)
James Tunstill (AUS)
Key Forwards
Joe Daniher (AUS)
Tom Fullarton (AUS)
Jack Gunston (AUS)
Eric Hipwood (AUS)
Henry Smith (AUS)
“C” = Captains / “VC” = Vice-Captain
2023 Schedule
The Brisbane Lions will play a total of 23 matches during the 2023 regular season; the matches will take place across 24 rounds, with 1 round serving as a bye round for the Lions. Of these 23 matches, 12 will be played at home, and 11 will be played away from home. Of the 17 other sides in the AFL, the Brisbane Lions will play against 6 of them twice, once at home and once away, and play against the remaining 11 sides once only, either home or away. The club’s first match of the 2023 campaign was against Port Adelaide on 18 March, at the Adelaide Oval. The final Lions fixture of the regular season will be in August, at The Gabba, against St. Kilda.
You can find the full Brisbane Lions season schedule here.
2023 Rivals
Over the course of the 2023 season, the Brisbane Lions will compete against the Adelaide Crows, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast Suns, GWS Giants, Hawthorn, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond, St. Kilda, Sydney Swans, West Coast Eagles, and the Western Bulldogs.
Whilst all matches are important during an AFL season, Brisbane Lions fans will of course especially look forward to matches against their main rivals. The club enjoys inter-state rivalries with teams such as Collingwood and Port Adelaide, but it is perhaps the “QClash” – the Queensland state derby versus the Gold Coast Suns – which is now most hotly anticipated each year. The sides have met once this season already, during round 10, and are scheduled to meet once again during the regular season:
Round 20: Gold Coast Suns v Brisbane Lions • 29 July 2023
2023 AFL Finals
The Brisbane Lions finished the 2022 AFL regular season in sixth place, earning the side a finals berth. The Lions first played against Richmond in the elimination finals, winning a thrilling encounter 16.10 (106) to 16.8 (104). In the semifinals, the Brisbane Lions then defeated Melbourne 14.8 (92) to 11.13 (79). The Queensland club’s season ended at the preliminary finals stage, however, as the side was defeated 18.12 (120) to 7.7 (49) by eventual premiers the Geelong Cats.
The 2023 AFL finals will take place across 4 weeks, following the end of the regular season. The finals takes place across 4 rounds of matches, with teams knocked-out after one or two defeats, depending on where they finished in the table at the end of the regular season. The 2023 AFL finals will conclude with the grand final, which is expected to be held on 30 September.
2023 Tickets & Prices
Brisbane Lions home games are usually hosted at The Gabba, which holds a maximum of 42,000 people. During the 2022 AFL season, the Lions attracted an average attendance of over 24,500 fans per game. Whilst the price of Brisbane Lions home match tickets can vary depending on factors such as the quality of the visiting opposition, adult match ticket during for the 2023 season typically start at between AUD $31 and AUD $38. The average price of an adult match ticket is approximately AUD $42-50.
Standard Tickets
Standard match tickets for Brisbane Lions home matches at The Gabba can be purchased in the following categories:
- General Admission – unreserved seating in the lower tier; typically the most affordable tickets at Brisbane Lions home matches
- Standard – reserved seating behind the posts in the upper tier, and along the south wing in the lower tier
- Prime – reserved seating behind the posts, in the upper and middle tiers
- Premium – reserved seating in the upper tier; typically the most expensive standard tickets at Brisbane Lions home matches
Premium, Hospitality, & VIP Tickets
Premium match tickets and VIP hospitality packages can be purchased via enquiry for Brisbane Lions home matches. Options include:
- AreaVIP Seating – reserved corporate level seats, with food available for purchase and use of a cash bar
- Open Air Boxes – open air hospitality box, with premium food and drinks packages available, and waiting service on-hand
- Corporate Suites – covered, outdoor hospitality suite, with premium food and drinks packages available, and waiting service on-hand
How to get Cheap Tickets
The price of Brisbane Lions match tickets can vary based on multiple factors. Firstly, games at large or prestigious stadiums may command higher ticket prices than matches hosted at smaller or less famous ovals. Secondly, ticket prices may be higher for matches against rivals or teams which are historically very successful. Thirdly, ticket prices vary depending on a chosen seat’s location within a stadium; seats behind the posts are typically more affordable than seats located along the wings, for example. Koobit compares the prices offered by both official sellers and secondary resellers, to help you find your perfect ticket at the most affordable price.
Where to Buy Tickets
Tickets for Brisbane Lions games at The Gabba games can be purchased easily online, allowing fans to access ticket sales as soon as they open, as well as compare prices throughout different sections of the stadium. Purchasing tickets online also provides the opportunity to compare the prices offered by different ticketing suppliers. Tickets which are bought online can be downloaded and then digitally presented at the venue.
How to Get to a Game
Brisbane Lions home matches are played at The Gabba, which can be easily accessed via public transport, taxi, or rideshare, as well as on foot from central Brisbane. Visit The Gabba travel and parking page for more information, or see the individual travel and parking sections on specific event pages for more precise travel information.
To stay up to date with the latest schedule and ticketing information for this season and beyond, visit the Brisbane Lions page.
