How the Lions’ Premiership Formula Is Breaking Down Without Its Key Foot Soldiers

Brisbane’s recent struggles have been shaped not only by injuries, inconsistent form and issues with team defence, but also by the loss of the club’s role players, whose absence has left the Lions out of balance. While attention has largely focused on the team’s star midfielders, the article argues that Brisbane’s “worker bees” and defensive support players have been just as important to the club’s success and are now proving difficult to replace.

The departures of Brandon Starcevich and Callum Ah Chee at the end of last season have weakened the Lions’ structure in key areas. Starcevich, who joined West Coast via free agency, was a dependable defender for coach Chris Fagan and regularly took on the opposition’s most dangerous small and medium forwards. Ah Chee, now at Adelaide, played a similar shutdown role at the other end of the ground and was often assigned to dangerous half-backs or wingmen who could influence games by running and intercepting.

In 2026, Brisbane has also been forced to cope with the limited availability of Noah Answerth and Jarrod Berry. Answerth has played only three games this season and Berry six, and neither had featured in the month leading into Saturday’s match against Fremantle before both were recalled. Answerth’s injuries have been especially damaging, with back-to-back concussions interrupting his season and limiting the defensive balance of a backline already featuring more creative ball-users such as Dayne Zorko, Keidean Coleman, Darcy Wilmot and Jaspa Fletcher.

Berry’s value is highlighted as well. Described as the ultimate winger, he is praised for his versatility, endurance and willingness to do the less visible work that helps Brisbane function. His ability to mark outlet kicks, provide a receive option, win contested ball and contribute defensively makes him one of the AFL’s most complete role players, even if his numbers are not always eye-catching.

The Lions have repeatedly been exposed by creative and dangerous opposition forwards. Toby Greene kicked five goals against Brisbane last week, Shaun Mannagh kicked five the week before, and Will Hayward kicked three before that. Brisbane has already used 14 different players in defence in less than half a season, underscoring the instability caused by injuries and personnel changes.

The article notes that this is not an excuse, especially given Brisbane still has strong role players such as co-captain Josh Dunkley, who can perform whatever task is required. But the challenge for Fagan is finding the right matchups and enough defensive discipline to stop dangerous opponents. Wilmot, Jimmy Tunstill and Conor McKenna have all had moments in support roles, but consistency remains an issue.

Looking ahead, Brisbane faces further tests against Fremantle and Gold Coast, with questions over who will handle key threats such as Shai Bolton, Jordan Clark, Bailey Humphrey and Daniel Rioli. Despite being reigning two-time premiers with a strong system, Brisbane must quickly restore balance across its team if it is to avoid its current concerns becoming a bigger problem.