The Brisbane Lions' 2017 season was the club's 21st season in the Australian Football League (AFL) and 1st in AFL Women's (AFLW).
AFL
List changes
After suffering a heavy knock to the head at training on January 18, 2016, defender Justin Clarke was ruled out of football indefinitely, eventually retiring due to long-term health concerns. At the end of the 2016 season Trent West and Daniel Merrett both retired as well, Trent due to injury frustrations and Merrett due to wanting to spend more time with his family. The Lions also delisted five players: Hugh Beasley, Billy Evans, Josh McGuinness, Jackson Paine and Josh Watts.
During the trade period, Brisbane traded Irishman Pearce Hanley to rival club in a complicated three-way trade also involving . Out of contract player Jack Frost requested a trade to Brisbane after not managing to play an AFL match in 2016. He was traded to Brisbane along with Pick 76 in the 2016 national draft and Collilngwood's third round pick in the 2017 national draft in exchange for Brisbane's third and fourth round picks in the 2017 national draft. After the trade period Brisbane delisted forward Josh Green.
Retirements and delistings
Player Date Reason Career games Career goals Ref. Justin Clarke 31 March 2016 Retired, effective immediately 56 1 Trent West 15 August 2016 Retired, effective at end of season 70 28 Daniel Merrett 16 August 2016 Retired, effective at end of season 200 70 Hugh Beasley 5 September 2016 Delisted 6 0 Billy Evans 5 September 2016 Delisted 7 1 Josh McGuinness 5 September 2016 Delisted 0 0 Jackson Paine 5 September 2016 Delisted 16 11 Josh Watts 5 September 2016 Delisted 0 0 Josh Green 25 October 2016 Delisted 98 124 Jaden McGrath 9 November 2016 Retired 3 0
Trades
Date Gained From Lost Ref. 13 October 2016 Pick 3Pick 16 Pick 2Pick 31Pick 51Pick 60 18 October 2016 Pick 22 Pearce Hanley 2017 first round pick (Port Adelaide) Pick 19 20 October 2016 Jack FrostPick 762017 third round pick (Collingwood) 2017 third round pick (Brisbane)2017 fourth round pick (Brisbane)
National draft
Round Pick Player Recruited from League Ref. 1 3 Hugh McCluggage North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup 1 17 Jarrod Berry North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup 2 23 Alex Witherden Geelong Falcons TAC Cup 2 24 Cedric Cox North Ballarat Rebels TAC Cup 4 55 Jacob Allison Aspley NEAFL 5 71 Corey Lyons Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup Rookie elevation Archie Smith AFL
Rookie draft
Round Pick Player Recruited from League Ref. 1 2 Jake Barrett AFL 2 20 Mitch Hinge SANFL 3 37 Oscar McInerney VFL Category B Matt Eagles VFL Category B Blake Grewar Redland NEAFL
Squad
Results Pre-season
Premiership season
Brisbane started the season with a two-point win over in the first QClash of the season despite Gold Coast fighting back from a 47-point deficit, but they went on to lose their next nine matches, going into their bye round with a 1-9 record and on the bottom of the ladder. After the week off they played against top eight side and won by 57 points to end their losing streak and take the Dockers out of the top eight. Their form improved somewhat for the rest of the season, winning a total of five games before the final round. Their final match was against with the loser to finish on the bottom of the ladder. When North Melbourne won the match by 51 points, Brisbane secured their first wooden spoon since 1998.
Ladder
Attendances + 2017 Brisbane Lions attendances Club Total Games Avg. per game Home total Home games Home avg. 22 11
AFL Women's In May 2016, the club launched a bid to enter a team in the inaugural AFL Women's season in 2017. The Brisbane Lions were granted a license on 15 June 2016, becoming one of eight teams to compete in the league's first season. Former AFL Queensland employee Breeanna Brock was appointed to the position of Women’s CEO the following day.
Tayla Harris and Sabrina Frederick-Traub were the club's first signings, unveiled along with the league's other 14 marquee players on 27 July 2016. A further 23 senior players and two rookie players were added to the club's inaugural list in the league's drafting and signing period. Emma Zielke will captain the team for their inaugural season.
Former Collingwood and Brisbane Bears player and AFL Queensland coach Craig Starcevich was appointed the team's inaugural head coach in June 2016. The rest of the coaching team was announced on 8 November 2016 as David Lake as the midfield coach, Daniel Merrett as the backline coach and Brent Staker as the forward coach.
Existing club sponsor Hyundai, along with Epic Pharmacy, will sponsor the team in 2017.
The team plays its home games at the South Pine Sports Complex in Brendale.
2017 squad
Results 2016 Exhibition games
2017 Pre-season
2017 season
Ladder
NEAFL
Brisbane also fielded their reserves team in the North East Australian Football League for the 7th season. They won 15 of their 18 regular season games to finish 2nd on the ladder, then won finals against Sydney University and 's reserves team to claim their 3rd premiership in the league.
See also Brisbane Lions 2017 AFL season AFL Women's 2017 AFL Women's season
References
External links Official website of the Brisbane Lions Football Club Official AFL website Official AFL Women's website