What Makes the Brisbane Lions Such a Resilient Team
About The Author
Rhys Mathieson is a former AFL midfielder known for his toughness, competitive edge and spirited personality on and off the field. After years at the top level, he’s shifted his focus to lifestyle, wellbeing and storytelling—sharing insights from his playing career, the lessons learned along the way and the mindset that shaped him as an athlete. Today, Rhys brings his honest, down-to-earth voice to our blog, offering readers a unique mix of sport, culture, personal growth and real-life reflections.
I played with the Brisbane Lions from 2016 to 2023 and saw plenty in that time. I might not be in the AFL anymore, but I still keep a close eye on the club. When people ask what makes the Lions such a resilient team, I reckon it comes down to a few simple things.
1. The Culture Is Built, Not Bought
When I first got to the club, Brisbane wasn’t exactly on top of the ladder. But what stood out was how hard everyone worked. There were no shortcuts. The older players set the tone and the younger ones followed.
Everyone had a role. It didn’t matter if you had played 200 games or two. You earned respect through effort. That attitude became part of who we were as a team.
2. Chris Fagan and the Coaches
Fages is one of the best people I have met in footy. He is honest, fair, and knows how to get the best out of players.
He keeps things calm when games get tight. That leadership filters through the group. You make a mistake, he doesn’t rip your head off. He helps you fix it. That trust builds belief.
The other coaches, like Danny Daly and Jed Adcock, are the same. Straight shooters who want you to improve.
3. Training Hard and Recovering Right
Everyone knows I love the gym. Bit of Beastmode time never hurt anyone. But the thing about Brisbane is that the boys train hard and train smart.
The setup is top notch. Strength sessions, recovery work, ice baths, mobility, all of it. The team takes it seriously because they know it pays off late in the season.
It’s not about trying to look good in a singlet. It’s about being strong enough and fit enough to keep pushing when the game is on the line. That’s a big part of resilience.
4. Young Blokes Who Want It
One of the best parts of playing at the Lions was seeing the young fellas come through. They are fearless. They turn up ready to compete, hungry to prove themselves.
You see them doing extras in the gym or staying late after training. That is how standards lift. The young blokes push the older ones, and everyone gets better.
5. The Fans
Brisbane fans are unreal. They have been there through the rough years and the good ones.
When I started, the crowds were smaller, but the noise was still huge. They never stopped backing us in. And now, when the Gabba is full and the team is flying, you can feel it. That energy gives you something extra.
6. Learning from the Tough Times
Before the Lions became contenders again, we copped some big losses. That stuff hurts, but it teaches you plenty.
You learn how to deal with pressure, how to bounce back, and how to play for each other. Those hard years set up the success that came later. The resilience you see now was built then.
7. No Free Rides
At Brisbane, you earn everything. Selection, respect, opportunity. Nothing is handed to you.
Even when I wasn’t getting picked for the senior side, I stayed ready. I tried to set standards in the twos and lead the younger players. That is what a strong team does. Everyone contributes, no matter where they play.
8. Keeping Things Light
Footy can get serious, but if you can’t have a laugh, you’ll burn out.
The Lions changeroom was always a good mix of focus and fun. Plenty of banter, plenty of laughs. Mitch Robinson probably led the way there. It kept things balanced.
Resilience isn’t just about grinding through pain. It’s about enjoying what you do, keeping perspective, and remembering why you love footy in the first place.
9. Brotherhood
The hardest thing about leaving the AFL wasn’t the game itself. It was the people. The bonds you build in the locker room stick with you forever.
You go through everything together. The highs, the lows, the grind, the wins. That connection is what keeps the Lions strong.
Even watching from the outside now, you can see it. The way they celebrate each other, the way they fight until the end. That’s what makes them a resilient team.
Once you’ve been part of that, it never leaves you.
Final Thoughts
The Brisbane Lions are resilient because they have earned it. It is built on culture, coaching, hard work, and mateship.
There’s no magic trick. It’s just a bunch of blokes who care about each other and who keep showing up no matter what.
I’m proud to have been part of that story. Once a Lion, always a Lion!