Brisbane Lions foundation head of Women’s Football, Breeanna Brock has informed the club she will step down from her role with the Lions and relocate to South Australia to be closer to her family.
Brock, a pioneer of women’s football in Queensland, who has held her role since inception of the AFLW competition in 2017, will move to Adelaide to join her family, where husband, Murray Davis is currently the Director of Coaching at the Adelaide Crows.
Brock has been instrumental in setting up the Lions AFLW program, initially helping to grow female football through her role at AFL Queensland as the female participation co-ordinator, before moving to the Club in 2016 when the Lions were granted one of the first eight AFLW licences.
Under her watchful eye, and in partnership with Coach, Craig Starcevich, the Lions have played in eight of 10 finals series, seven of 10 grand finals with Premierships in 2021 and 2023.
“When I began, women’s football was finding its feet; today it’s a powerful, thriving competition, and building the Brisbane Lions AFLW program—culminating in two premierships—has been the privilege of my life,” Brock said.
“I’m immensely proud of what we achieved together, but the greatest reward has been seeing young girls believe there’s a place for them in this game.
“Stepping away is bittersweet: the Lions have been my family, but it’s time to put my own first, with endless gratitude to my partner Murray, son Zach, and our wider family whose sacrifices made this journey possible.
“My deepest thanks to Craig Starcevich and Matt Green who have been with me every step of the way since 2017 and helped shaped this program into what it is today.
“To be able to play a key role in developing this competition over its infancy and to have the backing from key people at the Club such as Andrew Wellington, Greg Swann and more recently Sam Graham has been amazing.”
Bree was awarded the AFL Football Women of the Year award in 2018 and inducted into the AFL Queensland Hall of Fame in 2023 in recognition of her long-standing commitment to the game.
Lions Chief Executive, Sam Graham, said Bree’s contribution to football in Queensland has been huge.
“Bree leaves a terrific legacy not only here at the Lions but across the State.
“She’s been around the game as an administrator for close to 20 years and has been front and centre of the growth in women’s AFL and developing talent pathways for so many players.
“We’ll miss Bree’s friendship, passion and strong advocacy for the AFLW program and women in sport. The club wishes Bree, Murray and Zach all the best for the future.”
Brock will finish up with the club early in the new year, with a final date to be confirmed and the Club will go to market for a new General Manager of Women’s Football in the new year.
