Dear Members,
As we move through 2026, thank you for the extraordinary support you continue to show our Club. The Brisbane Lions has always been built on the belief of our members, and that support remains one of our greatest strengths.
On field, after back-to-back wins, our AFL team is in 7th with an 8-6 win-loss record. The competition is as tight as ever and our challenge is clear: keep improving, respond strongly to the tests ahead and make the most of our opportunities.
Our Round 14 win over Richmond also saw two significant milestones for Youi Brisbane Lions Academy graduates. Captain Harris Andrews played his 250th AFL match, while Eric Hipwood reached 200. Both are outstanding examples of what is possible when young Queensland talent is identified, supported and developed through a genuine AFL pathway. Their careers underline why the Academy remains so important to our Club’s future and to the growth of Australian football in this state: it gives young players a visible pathway, strengthens the local game, and helps ensure the next generation of Lions can come from the communities we represent.
The first half of the season has tested our depth across the AFL and VFL programs, particularly through injury. We are optimistic a number of players will return after the bye, and I want to acknowledge our Football Department for the way they continue to support and prepare our players each week.
The VFL program in particular has been hard hit as injuries mean we have had fewer listed AFL players available for the VFL. In that light I want to acknowledge the staff in that program who continue to do everything they can to support our football program.
Our membership and crowds remain among the clearest signs of the Club’s health. We have passed 75,000 members for the second year in a row and are on track for a ninth consecutive year of membership growth. At home, on the road and in marquee fixtures, the presence and voice of Lions fans has been impossible to miss.
Importantly, the Club is also strong off the field. We are on track for another strong financial result and continue to work to shore up our long term future.
The progress at Victoria Park stadium is a significant development for the future of sport in Brisbane and for our Club. The 63,000-seat stadium will deliver a world-class home for the Lions after the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, while creating a lasting sporting and cultural legacy for Queensland. We continue to work with GIICA, Stadiums Queensland and other key stakeholders to ensure the interests of our members, fans and the Club are represented throughout the planning process.
In the ongoing stadium debate, we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that it is the community who will enjoy the benefits of a new stadium. A modern stadium at Victoria Park would allow more members of our community to enjoy fantastic live sport and entertainment experiences with family and friends. Sport is a great enabler of community connection, it unites people across background and age. It is an important part of both our City’s and our Club’s long-term growth and we will keep members informed as the project progresses.
At Brighton Homes Arena in Springfield, we are progressing the proposed $50 million Brisbane Lions Community Hub, currently going through the development approval process with Ipswich City Council. The project is another important investment in our future and in our connection with the growing Ipswich community.
If approved, the Community Hub will strengthen Brighton Homes Arena as a year-round destination for sport, community participation, health and wellbeing, while building on its role as the home of our AFLW, VFL and Academy programs.
We are also looking forward to the new AFLW season commencing in August. The AFLW squad are back in full training and the noise and energy levels have lifted significantly at Brighton Homes Arena with their return! Brighton Homes Arena will again be central to showcasing our women’s program. Our 2026 fixture features multiple family-friendly twilight timeslots at Springfield, which will help create a strong atmosphere as we look to build on last season’s momentum and record crowds.
We welcome Danielle Smith as our new General Manager of our AFLW program following the departure of long term GM Breanna Brock. Danielle has a great sporting CV having held senior roles with the Melbourne Storm and Geelong, as well as being the inaugural CEO of the Sunshine Coast Lightning Super Netball franchise, guiding them to back to back premierships in their first two seasons. In addition to the appointment of Danielle, Jeff White has been appointed as an AFLW assistant coach and Youi Lions Assistant Academy Coach. Jeff was an All Australian player who is already well known to us, having served as an Assistant Ruck Coach in 2025.
In summary, while the AFL season so far has had it’s ups and downs, your club continues to thrive on and off the field across our programs and off field initiatives.
On behalf of the Board, thank you for your continued support of, and belief in the Brisbane Lions.
Go Lions.
Andrew Wellington
Chair
Brisbane Lions
