Dynasty. It's the word that defined Brisbane's stranglehold on the competition at the turn of the century, and the Lions are on the verge of another one - if they aren't there already.
Brisbane have been the best team over the past three years, playing in each Grand Final and winning two of them in dominant fashion. Proceeding that was a four-year finals streak in which they were perennially knocking on the door.
Perhaps most worrying for the rest of the competition though is that they're only set to get better, with a massive trade period ahead.
How can the best team of the last seven years also be set to be arguably the biggest winner of the upcoming off-season? Well, it has nothing to do with father-sons, but everything to do with being a destination club, that has managed themselves better than any other club both on-field and off-field.
MORE: Brisbane Lions player ratings: Who starred and who struggled in 2025 premiership triumph
Oscar Allen
After the shock retirement of Joe Daniher threatened to derail the functionality of Brisbane's forward line, pick 31 in the 2023 draft Logan Morris announced himself as a star of the competition, booting 53 goals in 2025. When his main support up forward, Eric Hipwood, went down with a season-ending injury late in the year, pick 42 in last year's draft Ty Gallop emerged from the shadows, and performed well beyond his years.
The Lions' academy prospect produced a match-winning three goals in the preliminary final, helping the Lions get back to 'the big dance.' But the Lions' young, overlooked duo up forward is set to get some reinforcements alongside them, with West Coast captain Oscar Allen electing to move cross-country as a free agent.
Allen has established himself as a legitimate key forward for the Eagles, evidenced by 53 goals of his own in 2023. He has struggled with fitness since, only managing 23 appearances in the past couple of seasons. But there is optimism that a move to Brisbane will not only give him a chance to contend for a premiership, but also the chance to find consistency with his body, as Daniher did after arriving at the Lions from Essendon.
With a forward setup led by Morris and (a hopefully) healthy Allen and Hipwood, as well as a developing Gallop, Chris Fagan's side should be one of the most dangerous in front of goals as they look to 'threepeat.'
Sam Draper
There's a good chance an improved forward mix can expect to see plenty of the footy heading there way as well, with a star-studded midfield group, headlined by Lachie Neale, Hugh McLuggage and Will Ashcroft, set to have one of the competition's best ruckman tapping it down their throat.
Similar to Allen, Draper will make the move to Brisbane with a string of recent injuries behind him that restricted him to just 35 games in the past three seasons. When fit he's one of the most adept rucks in the league at pushing forward and attacking the goals, while also using his 205cm frame to be a strong contested marker.
The Lions have managed with veteran rucks Oscar McInerney and Darcy Fort en route to their two flags. McInerney has gradually declined in production as he ages and deals with nagging injuries. Fort, often used as injury insurance in previous years, locked down a full-time role as the Lions' ruckman in 2025, and dominated Rhys Stanley in the Grand Final against Geelong. While Fort has been serviceable for Chris Fagan's side, he will be 33 by next September, and will likely go back to being insurance once Draper is introduced into the fold.
Daniel Annable
He's not a name known to many, but he will be soon. Annable has been plying his trade in the Brisbane Academy, and is eligible to join the Lions in this year's draft.
In AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey's highly-respected phantom draft guide, Twomey ranked Annable at number five in August, saying he's as "consistent as any player in the draft pool this year," and that he's "ready to play AFL."
Based on his VFL form, that assessment is hard to argue with. In eight appearances in the Reserves competition, Annable finished with 20-plus disposals five times, the highlight coming in round 18 against Gold Coast, where he totalled 28 disposals to go along with a goal.
He will be another top draftee set to join Brisbane's midfield ranks, and could be forming a one-two punch with Draper at centre bounces as soon as next year, if Fagan picks him.
Returning from Injury
As impressive as Brisbane's premiership defence was, it's easy to forget that after the qualifying final loss to Geelong, many had written the Lions off. The expected season-ending calf injury to co-captain Lachie Neale, which he miraculously overcame to play a crucial role in the Grand Final, was exacerbated by the fact that the Lions already had a lengthy injury list that tested their depth.
Brisbane's best player in their losing Grand Final two years ago, Keidean Coleman, has now devastatingly missed both Grand Final wins through injury. The gun half-back is a weapon out of defence for the Lions, particularly damaging by foot. He missed the 2024 Grand Final with an ACL injury, but had looked solid upon his return this year, before a quad injury again cut his season short.
Lincoln McCarthy had been a regular in Brisbane's side, before he also brutally missed both Grand Final wins, following consecutive ACL injuries. Jack Payne had emerged as a strong key defender, and was a wall in defence in their 2024 triumph against Sydney, finishing with eight marks and four intercept possessions. A ruptured patellar tendon early in the year saw his season also cut short, after he was in arguably career-best form. But at just 25-years-old, Payne will hopefully recover well and be looking to get his spot back in 2026.
Noah Answerth had also matured into a fine half-back for the Lions, especially in the absence of Coleman, but a ruptured Achilles tendon meant his season cruelly ended early. Meanwhile, Eric Hipwood missed the Lions' September run this year, but will be welcomed back into their side next year, after proving his importance to their forward structure.
Finally, the latest addition to the injury list was Jarrod Berry, whose dislocated shoulder necessitated him being sidelined for the decider. Berry has also become a regular in Chris Fagan's side, playing in 99 games over the past four years, including the 2024 premiership.
Who is on the way out?
There will likely be a couple of names from the premiership side set to depart however.
Callum Ah Chee has become a versatile swingman for the Lions, pushing forward and kicking goals while also tracking back and making many saves defensively. But he reportedly is bound for Adelaide, who are expected to be one of the Lions' main contenders for next year's flag.
Meanwhile, defender Brandon Starcevich has for some time now been poised to join the West Coast Eagles, who are crying out for an experienced defender. But the 26-year-old does have a history with concussion, and after suffering another one in Saturday's game, there are fears the Eagles may have to pull their offer. Just this year their own premiership defender Jeremy McGovern was medically forced to retire after his own issues with concussion. Either way, it's unlikely Starcevich is seen in a Brisbane jumper again.