All In Brisbane 2010

The Brisbane Lions of the early 2000’s are considered by many as one of the most the dominant and successful of all time. Lead by the captain and journeyman Michael Voss & legendary Leigh Matthews the Lions were on top of the AFL. The eventual decline and dismantling of the Lions side saw both Matthews and Voss retire. Both would move onto to commentary positions leaving the head coaching and captains positions available. Simon Black would step into Voss’ shoes while in 2009 Voss would step up to coach his beloved Lions.

With Jonathan Brown having a great season kicking 85 goals but losing the Coleman medal to Carlton Spearhead Brendan Fevola by one goal. And Daniel Bradshaw helping out with 50 goals in 2009 the Lions looked they could make a strong push in 2010 after finishing 6th in the 2009 season. At the 2009 Brownlow night Coleman medalist Brendan Fevola made a complete fool of himself after drinking himself silly and giving his captain Chris Judd a chicken wing tackle.

Carlton finally grew tired of the always in trouble full forward and put him up for trade. Voss came knocking and was willing to trade for him. The first offer that came Carlton's way was a swap of full forward Daniel Bradshaw and midfielder Michael Rischitelli however after meeting with the Blues Rischitelli rejected the trade. Plan B was to trade young forward Lachlan Henderson and the 12th pick in the 2009 draft for the troubled forward. The trade went thru with Fevola now a Brisbane Lion. But the madness didn’t end there. Andrew Raines, Brent Staker, Amon Buchanan and Xavier Clarke where players with previous experience from other clubs and the Lions traded for them, giving up a few draft picks to get the players.

After a small media storm over the trades the Lions started the season as a great chance to make it to the grand final. After a 4-0 start to the season that had them on the top of the ladder the wheel fell off in spectacular fashion with the side only winning 3 more game for the season. If it was any other coach and not a club champion like Voss is to the Lions he would have been sacked but he did lose his general manager role.

Bradshaw was quiet upset for being put up for trade left the club straight away via the preseason draft but after a strong start to the season with the Swans the succumbed to a knee injury that in the end ended his career. Rischitelli stayed with the club and won the Best and fairest for the 2010 season but left as uncontracted player to the Gold Coast Suns.

After a good season by Fevola where he kicked 48 goals for his new club, more off field problems came ahead when he was arrested on New Year’s Day of 2011 for public nuisance and obstructing police. Later that month he was sacked by the club. Buchanan only place 22 games for the Lions in 3 seasons and is now is retired, Staker is still with the club but has had some major knee problems in his career, Clarke only played 1 game for the Lions and is now retired aswell. Raines is the only one who has blossomed while at Brisbane and is a key member for the club.

Voss is still with the club but is in his last year of his contract and is in trouble of losing his job until a few key wins lately that looks to have saved his job.

#ALLIN