For the Brisbane Lions, season 2013 was as tough and emotional as a rollercoaster can ever be in everyday life.
What started off brightly quickly turned into a rabble as the Lions continually underperformed on the field, even when they were expected to earn a finals berth.
It was this string of disappointing results that saw Michael Voss quit the club upon learning that he would not be granted a contract extension after this season.
There were some extreme highs and lows in what was another predominantly forgettable season by the men from the Gabba.
What went right
The Brisbane Lions started 2013 off on a bright note, defeating Carlton to win the NAB Cup, its first piece of silverware since the hat-trick of premierships at the turn of the millennium.
After that victory it was thought that the Lions could be contenders in 2013, but while they endured a mostly disappointing season on the field there were some moments that are worth remembering.
There was no greater moment than the stirring comeback against Geelong in Round 13, when the team found itself 50 points down in the third quarter before producing a stellar final term to win by five points.
The team almost did the double against the Cats, but fell by one point in the return match at Simonds Stadium, the closest Geelong came to what would have been their third loss at home (until the qualifying final against Fremantle) since April 2007.
The Lions also managed their first victory over St Kilda since 2008, and recorded its largest victory margin when they defeated GWS by 10 goals in Round 21.
From the home victory against Geelong through to the Round 22 victory over the Western Bulldogs, they won seven of ten matches. Despite this impressive patch coach Michael Voss was punted and Mark Harvey took over.
What went wrong
The Lions’ regular season did not start well, having come off the NAB Cup victory at Etihad Stadium against Carlton, they were thrashed by 68 points at the same venue in the opening round by the Western Bulldogs.
There were also a handful of uncompetitive performances in the first half of the season, none more so than against North Melbourne (63 points), the Sydney Swans (60) and Hawthorn (58).
The Lions also disappointed on the Friday night stage in Round 10, losing to Collingwood by 49 points.
Those results were among the factors which contributed to the decision of the board not to extend Michael Voss’ contract at the end of this season.
Jonathan Brown also endured an injury-ravaged 2013 season, managing only 28 majors from 15 matches this year. His absence could have been the difference between a heartbreaking loss and a breakthrough victory against Geelong in the final round.
The future
By the beginning of 2014, only Simon Black, Jonathan Brown and Ashley McGrath* will remain from the side that captured a hat-trick of premierships.
It could be the final season for all three, while the future of Brown could also come under the spotlight given his recent injury troubles.
Mark Harvey has not put his hand up to coach the Lions full time, but whoever does will inherit a talented playing list starved of recent success.
*Ashley McGrath played in only the 2003 premiership winning side.
Questions the fans will want answered in 2014
– Who will coach the Brisbane Lions?
– Will one of Black, Brown or McGrath continue after 2014?
– Can this Lions side live up to their potential?
And last, but not least
– Can the Lions return to the finals?
brenda rawlins
Guest
I wonder why Our Vlad is supporting Angus so heavily. Could it be that they are such good mates that if we the supporters dare to oppose his will and call an EGM to clean out the board our funding is in jeopardy. Last time I looked Putin lived in Russia. If we went to clean out the board and get rid of the cancer we will - ultimately. Of course Vlad is welcome to oversea soccer instead.
brenda rawlins
Guest
I note the article in the Herald Sun today. Mr Demetriou states Brisbane's AFL funding is in jeopardy if we dare to persist in wanting an EGM to depose Angus Johnson. Mr Demetriou would do well to note that without the supporters he is nothing. What he is getting away with currently is tantamount to blackmail. As a supporter I would have hoped Mr Demetriou would have told Mr Johnson to walk in the interests of stability and inform HIM that unless HE leave our funding is in jeopardy. The report in Herald Sun says we are upset because Voss is no longer coaching. May I inform all and sundry of the following. 1. We are extremely upset because Voss is gone and the way it was "handled." 2. We are upset over the way he was got rid of!!! 3. We are even more upset at the number of players who want out BECAUSE he was got rid of. 4. As supporters we have the right to depose managerial incompetents. OVER TO THE JOURNALISTS. DON'T JUST STAND THERE, CORRECT THE MISINFORMATION. Brenda Rawlins 55 Lilian St Bulleen. 3105. Phone 0413206033
Johnston
Guest
Ye ha !!! Go Leppa!!! Enough Said
Brenda Rawlins
Guest
SACK ANGUS ASAP. WRITE TO THE SPONSORS YOU PEOPLE OUT THERE. I HAVE DONE SO.
Brenda Rawlins
Guest
SACK ANGUS ASAP. WRITE TO THE SPONSORS YOU PEOPLE OUT THERE. I HAVE DONE SO.
Quentin Bates
Guest
If the Lions name Neil Craig as coach, it will put the club back 20 years, Craig has done nothing, why do you think the Crows got rid of him ? Vossy was on the right track. I think sack the president and get the club moving forward as vossy had done
Johnston
Guest
A football club has monetary responsibilities but it is not a corporation about making money. The Lions as a club has to be about the players and the fans, and the board is there to serve for that reason. There has to be feeling and soul in the decision made or there is no club. The AFL's influence ( mostly coming from a Melbourne club bias point of view) must be tamed by making wise decisions within the club With a shakey start due to inexperience and some shocking bad luck with injuries, Voss had to been seen as hitting his stride right from the start if the season. Building new talent The Lions had one of the yongest teams in the leage with real fire power in all parts of the ground, proven with come back wins over much more seasoned team. Voss was building a real chance for the future. With what was truly on offer as a replacement coach it had to be shear incompetence to end the contract of a club Legend in this way. The way to get things moving forward again is to sack Angus Johnson and reinstate Voss as coach. The only other way to keep the feeling going is for another ex Brisbane player or previous coach is to step up... Go The Lions!
smithha
Roar Pro
Well said. It appears the Lions board have completely stuffed up by not securing Paul Roos before sacking Voss. Now, the promising and young(ish) 2013 players are scrambling for safer ground - and who can blame them?
Judy Morris
Guest
The players are not to blame for the stuff-ups of this club.I believe had ,Voss been given another year he would have had success and the board [ who-ever ] would have been happy.I feel Brisbane board was trying to break away from FITZROY tradition and its blown up in its face.Even Roos didn't want a bar of it. If they??????? don't get their act together soon supporters will give them a miss and they'll have bigger troubles especially in Melbourne [ Fitzroy Brisbane fans ] This team is exciting to watch and their youth is their asset. They are keen, so why are they leaving? Not the coach or the State as reported but the idiotts who run the club. Get back VOSS,and look after the true LIONS supporters.Maybe then our club might survive. I've followed them my whole life and its sad to see them fall in a heap AGAIN. Go Lions.Bring back the true Fitzroy Lion jumper.At least they'll look like Lions.
Brenda Rawlins
Guest
No one is impressed by the boardroom Caligula in Brisbane. Neil Craig for our coach - hopeless. Past it. Not even fit to carry Voss's clipboard. I am wondering about the board's capacity to pick its seat at a funeral. Mass exodus of young players caused by board incompetence and the lack of a suitable coach.Most of the coaches on offer would be too past it to coach my cat!!! His name is Aker. This club is heading to hell in a handbasket at a rate of knots. I wish the board and Aberdeen Angus would disappear. Voss's performance this year was excellent, considering we were hampered in the first half of the year by injuries. Anyone interested in corresponding with me let me know. write to the sponsors and ask questions as to why they waste their money sponsoring us when the board could not run a fun palace on sailor's pay night.