‘Want to do it for him’: Teary Lion vows to prove ‘haters’ wrong amid heartfelt defence of coach

It would have taken something miraculous to top the events of last weekend, but Saturday’s Brisbane Lions win was just as special in its own unique way.

They did it the unconventional way this year, falling outside the top four to play an extra game than last year, progressing from an elimination final to a semi, a semi to a preliminary, and now to back-to-back Grand Finals.

It is a truly exceptional achievement, and the club’s father figure is at the centre of it all — attested to by one of the club’s integral midfield cogs.

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It wasn’t the jaw-dropping 44-point deficit of their semi-final comeback over GWS, but Brisbane had to chase a game-high 25-point Geelong lead in the third quarter to overcome its formidable opponent on Saturday.

Adoring friends and family members impatiently awaited the boisterous arrival of their beloved Brisbane brigade in the team rooms post-game — at multiple points begged by club officials not to breach the designated area.

Emerging young forward Logan Morris was first through to rapturous applause and cheers. The 19-year-old’s unorthodox arrival on the AFL scene is well-documented, but he played his role to a tee on Saturday, snaring two goals from limited opportunities.

Then came livewire midfielder-forward Zac Bailey, who always threatened to break the game open — and while he couldn’t capitalise on all of his chances, he still recorded an influential 19 disposals, 2.2 and an equal-game-high 10 score involvements.

The defensive trio of Brandon Starcevich, Darcy Wilmot and Conor McKenna followed. Starcevich and Wilmot combined for 16 intercepts against the Cats, while McKenna — who came onto the ground as the substitute for injured ruckman Oscar McInerney — delivered a crucially crafty goal assist to Morris in the final quarter.

Star forwards Charlie Cameron and Joe Daniher were also among the early and excited arrivals. Seven of Cameron’s 12 disposals on Saturday were score involvements, and there were none more pivotal than his pulled kick to Cal Ah Chee, who saluted from a set shot to give Brisbane its unassailable lead at the 25-minute mark of the fourth quarter.

Then out came the rest of the Lions’ proud pack to belt out a memorable rendition of The Pride of Brisbane Town.

Caught up in the commotion nearby was soon-to-be Brisbane Lion, Levi Ashcroft — who, earlier on Saturday, tasted finals glory of his own.

The 17-year-old midfielder ran rampant to the tune of 27 disposals, seven inside-50s and three goals as the Sandringham Dragons triumphed for the third consecutive year in the Coates Talent League Grand Final.

The sight of players hugging their families was inescapable in the best way possible, and among them was unheralded midfielder Jarrod Berry and his partner who, too, were overcome with emotion — and not for the last time, as you’ll soon find out.

Berry was one of the last to join the circle of Lions to belt out their tune, and, not to be taken the wrong way, it was symbolic of his stature at the football club.

The 26-year-old ball-winner isn’t the first name thought of in a star-studded Brisbane engine room, and he again played his typical unselfish role between the arcs, aiding the likes of dual Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale and stars Hugh McCluggage, Josh Dunkley, Cam Rayner and Will Ashcroft.

Berry’s stat-line read modestly, too: 20 disposals, 10 contested possessions, four clearances and four tackles.

This writer was fortunate enough to spend a couple of minutes with him in between deserved congratulations, and he explained the unique feeling of progressing this year compared to last time around.

“It is a different feeling, because we were top-four last year — we played two home finals and obviously that is an advantage, but to do it from fifth is so special, and I think it just proves how resilient our group is,” Berry told foxfooty.com.au.

“We lost a lot of guys to season-ending knee injuries, (but) we stuck fat as a group, it was all about us.

“The media — rightly or wrongly — were on our backs, but we’re back here, (and) I’m so proud of everyone.”

On whether it was a tougher road this time around considering the extra game played, Berry said it “depends how you look at it”. 

“I also look at it as we’re match-hardened,” he said. “We’ve played games for the last month and we’re right ready to play contested finals footy.

“I don’t think (playing more games) is a disadvantage for us at all.”

Asked for his thoughts on the season-long criticism placed at the feet of eight-year senior coach Chris Fagan, Berry didn’t mince his words.

“I won’t say what I want to say, but … I don’t think it’s justified how they go after him,” Berry told foxfooty.com.au on Saturday night.

“They went after him when we were 0-6 (in 2018), they went after him recently, (but) it’s like, we’ve played finals for six years in a row.

“For a coach to be able to do that, to get his squad and his players up for season on season, put ourselves in a position to be in a finals series and get to Grand Finals, (it’s) just an absolute testament to how much we want to play for him.”

It was at this point that Berry had become teary-eyed, revealing the paternal connection he and his teammates have with the 63-year-old.

“He’s like our dad, to be honest,” he said.

“I just want to — more than anything — I just want to do it for him and show the haters that he’s a sensational people person, and he’s got all the boys right behind him.”

Fagan has preached trust in his brigade multiple times throughout this trying season, and Berry believes there’s an unbreakable bond between the playing group and their beloved coach.

“It just comes from years and years — like you spoke about, trust — and him giving us the reins of the club and backing us in and watching us mature and flourish all together,” Berry told foxfooty.com.au.

“That’s part of it, (and) I guess you look at guys like Cam (Rayner), Hugh (McCluggage), Eric (Hipwood) — these guys that all come in (to the club) together — and we’ve all stuck together, we’ve all signed on.

“It’d mean the world for us to finally crack the premiership.”

After the unspeakable heartbreak of 2023, the Brisbane Lions get their second chance next Saturday against the Sydney Swans.