Lions on a mission for injured mates sidelined during 2024 premiership

2 weeks ago 2

The Brisbane Lions had a compelling reason to avoid the traditional premiership hangover, and it’s one that fuelled their ascent to a third-straight AFL grand final.

This group vowed in the 2025 preseason that despite lifting the cup in 2024 for the first time in 21 years, they needed to reattain those heights for the men whose bodies failed them in their title charge.

Come Saturday afternoon when they clash with Geelong, two men will get that opportunity.

Injured ruckman Oscar McInerney celebrates with teammate Cam Rayner after last year’s premiership win.

Humble ruckman-forward Oscar McInerney was lamented as the heartbreak story of the 2024 decider, having suffered a dislocated shoulder in the preliminary final – ironically, against the Cats.

But the 31-year-old was lauded for not dropping his head, becoming the Lions’ spiritual leader on the sidelines, while throwing his support behind his replacement, Darcy Fort.

A year on, McInerney still refuses to make the forthcoming occasion remotely about him. In fact, he hasn’t even dared to dream of tasting ultimate glory.

“To be honest, when Brownie [Lions media manager Nick Brown] told me I had the press, I’ve just been thinking about this for the last 36 hours,” he laughed.

“Last year is irrelevant, to be honest. Every year we set out to try and go as deep as we can, and we’ve given ourselves an opportunity this year. I’m just excited to be part of it.

“I think I’m no different to any player in the competition; it’s everyone’s dream to get an opportunity to be part of this week. When you come together in the preseason, you go to a level playing field, and the hunger is all the same.”

Such was Fort’s form in last year’s decider against the Swans, McInerney’s return to the fold was no fait accompli.

He was kept to just 13 games as he battled a niggling back injury, playing eight of the opening nine before sitting out until round 18.

Oscar McInerney twice dislocated his shoulder against the Cats in the Lions’ preliminary final win.

But McInerney insists “the body’s been fine”, and dismissed external murmurs of the past 12 months that he may have been contemplating retirement.

“I live the dream job, so I want to do this for as long as I can,” he said.

“I had full trust in our footy’s health department staff. I’ve really enjoyed this year and the different hurdles and challenges that have come with it.

“We’re so lucky to play footy as our job, and to be with a chance in the last week of September is just so exciting.”

McInerney will be joined on grand final day by another Lion whose fitness kept him from featuring on grand final day last year.

Darcy Gardiner returned from a ruptured ACL this year to become a pivotal member of Brisbane’s backline.

The 30-year-old partook in just seven games last year before succumbing to his fate. He has gone on to average 10.18 disposals and 2.35 rebound 50s per game, while still kicking six goals after a brief foray into the forward line.

Gardiner admits there were feelings of bittersweet euphoria watching his teammates clinch last year’s flag, as he and McInerney were joined by Keidean Coleman, Lincoln McCarthy and Tom Doedee in the casualty ward.

The latter trio will all miss the grand final again through injury, with Jack Payne, Eric Hipwood and Noah Answerth also sustaining season-ending blows.

Co-captain Lachie Neale (calf) and wingman Jarrod Berry (shoulder) remain in a desperate race to prove their fitness.

“They’re as good as they can be. It’s always a tough one – you do put on something of a brave face, as you want to be out there, but you need to be positive,” Gardiner said.

“You talk to them, try to get around them, and ask them how they’re feeling. But to their credit, they handle themselves really well.

Darcy Gardiner earns his chance at grand final redemption.

“They know it’s just part of the journey, so they’ll keep going and, hopefully, their run will come.”

McInerney added: “I think our greatest asset at the footy club is we’re a really tight group, and we look after each other.

“That’s what we’ll do this week, it’ll be no different to any other week. We’ll wrap our arms around those guys in the rehab group and continue to plod away.”

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