{"id":786844,"date":"2026-07-08T11:33:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T11:33:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/786844\/"},"modified":"2026-07-08T11:33:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T11:33:11","slug":"one-in-100-history-defying-challenge-facing-afl-powerhouse-in-brisbanes-dynasty-quest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/786844\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018One in 100\u2019: History-defying challenge facing AFL powerhouse in Brisbane\u2019s dynasty quest"},"content":{"rendered":"

They\u2019re the back-to-back premiers on the verge of joining the AFL\u2019s most exclusive clubs with a historic three-peat.<\/p>\n

But, a remarkable statistical trend suggests Brisbane will need to defy a century of history if they\u2019re to lift the premiership cup again in 2026.<\/p>\n

Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Despite sitting fourth on the ladder with seven rounds remaining, the Lions rank just 15th in the competition for points conceded; a defensive profile that has almost never produced a premiership.<\/p>\n

Champion Data analyst Daniel Hoyne revealed on Fox Footy\u2019s First Crack Preview that the defensive numbers of Chris Fagan\u2019s side place them in virtually uncharted territory for a genuine flag contender.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the last 100 years, there\u2019s only been one premier at this stage of the season that\u2019s been bottom four for points against \u2014 a one in 100 club,\u201d Hoyne said on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

That team is Melbourne, who all the way back in 1940 defeated Richmond by 39 points in the 1940 VFL Grand Final, despite their defensive flaws.<\/p>\n

The only comparable anomaly in recent seasons came from Carlton in 2024, but for very different reasons. The Blues ranked 15th for points against entering Round 18 after injuries ravaged what had been a promising campaign, before eventually limping into September in eighth spot.<\/p>\n

Lions continue assault with 4th-straight | 03:28<\/p>\n

AFTER ROUND 17, 2026 \u2014 POINTS AGAINST
18th: Richmond (17th on ladder)
17th: Essendon (18th on ladder)
16th: West Coast Eagles (16th on ladder)
15th: Brisbane Lions (4th on ladder)<\/p>\n

\u201cOne premier in 100 years has done that, been in that position, and gone on to salute. I understand a lot of people will fall off their chairs (and) might get aggressive, because we\u2019re all seeing what Brisbane are doing offensively \u2014 and it is brilliant,\u201d Hoyne continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, defensively, it has been an issue all season. We are seven weeks to go (until finals), and I think a lot of people outside are expecting: \u2018Nup, she\u2019ll be right\u2019 … they beat Geelong on the weekend, and were offensively brilliant. But, they gave up 30 shots going back the other way.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, if they are to go on and win the flag this year, they will buck history something of significance. One on 100 chance, Brisbane, of going on to win the flag this year, off the back of history.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Hoyne alluded to, their ongoing issues were again evident in last Thursday night\u2019s 22-point statement win over Geelong<\/a>, which now has them hotly tipped to challenge alongside Fremantle and Sydney for the flag.<\/p>\n

The Lions host a bottom-of-the-table Essendon to close out Round 18 this Sunday evening at the Gabba, before playing West Coast, Port Adelaide and Carlton.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"They\u2019re the back-to-back premiers on the verge of joining the AFL\u2019s most exclusive clubs with a historic three-peat.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":786845,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-786844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/786844","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=786844"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/786844\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/786845"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=786844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=786844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=786844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}