Amid the exuberant revelry of the Brisbane Lions’ AFLW celebrations after beating North Melbourne at Ikon Park, one odd object was front and centre: a jerry can.
As the bench poured onto the ground at the final whistle, they bore in their arms the jerry can. It was hoisted above the huddle of players, tossed between Lions stars. Everyone wanted a piece of the action like it was the premiership trophy itself.
Inscribed on the can were the names of the Lions players and a motto: “Grab your sister’s hand and your jerry can!”
The story of the jerry can is the story of the Lions’ season and their club’s remarkable ability to retool and rebuild year after year.
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This was their second flag in five grand final appearances – but few expected them to be in this year’s decider.
In the wake of last year’s grand final defeat, a close-fought loss to North Melbourne, Brisbane lost former AFLW Best and Fairest winner Emily Bates to Hawthorn. Gun forward Greta Bodey also left for the Hawks, while fellow goal machine Jesse Wardlaw departed to the Saints.
But – just as they have done almost every season – the Lions rejuvenated their squad and fought their way back into contention.
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Underpinning their success was a brutal pre-season camp where the jerry can became the embodiment of their fighting spirit and togetherness.
Players were sent on a gruelling 20km march with petrol cans in their hands. Since then, the jerry can has become a regular symbol on their run to a second flag – both an actual can, and a sign bearing its image.
It gets held aloft on the sidelines in key moments, typically late in quarters, to inspire the players to push through.
Speaking on the field after the game, Dakota Davidson – who starred with two clutch last-quarter goals – explained: “So we did a camp at the start of the year. Basically we had to carry them about 20km through a trek.
“So every time times get tough, we throw up the jerry can – so everyone know it’s time to work hard like we did in pre-season.”
She added afterwards, per The Age: “So, it was an excruciating pre-season, but then we see the jerry can on the sideline we think, ‘we’ve been through the wringer to be here’.
“This is where we need to lift the most. So, we’re stoked, and that’s why we do the jerry can for that extra lift that we need”.
She joked: “I don’t know how many [Vodka] Cruisers you can fit in a jerry can, but we’re going to give it a red hot crack.”
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