Brisbane Lions Salary Cap 2023, Coaches, Schedule, Ticket, Highest Paid Players and Low Paid Players
The Brisbane Lions are one of the most successful AFL clubs of the 21st century, having won three consecutive premierships from 2001 to 2003 and reaching four grand finals in a row. They are also a powerhouse in the AFL Women’s competition, winning the premiership in 2021 and finishing runners-up three times. But how do they manage their finances, their coaching staff, their fixtures, their ticket sales, and their player contracts? In this article, we will explore the Brisbane Lions salary cap 2023, coaches, schedule, ticket, highest paid players and low paid players in detail.
Salary Cap 2023
The salary cap is the amount of money that each AFL club can spend on player payments in a given season. The salary cap for 2023 is set at $13.54 million per club, which is a 5% increase from the previous year. The salary cap is designed to ensure a fair and competitive balance among the 18 clubs.
The Brisbane Lions have one of the tightest salary caps in the league, as they did not ask their players to take an additional pay cut in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that they have less flexibility to sign new players or retain existing ones. However, they have also managed to lock in most of their key players before the pandemic hit, securing their core group for the future.
According to The Herald Sun, the Brisbane Lions had six players earning more than $800,000 in 2021: Lachie Neale ($900,000-$950,000), Harris Andrews ($800,000-$850,000), Charlie Cameron ($800,000-$850,000), Joe Daniher ($800,000-$850,000), Eric Hipwood ($800,000-$850,000), and Daniel Rich ($800,000-$850,000). These six players accounted for almost half of the club’s total player payments in 2021.
It is expected that the Brisbane Lions will have a similar salary structure in 2023, with some adjustments for inflation and performance incentives. The club may also have to make some tough decisions on some of their veterans or fringe players who are out of contract at the end of 2022. Some of these players include Grant Birchall, Lincoln McCarthy, Jarrod Berry, Hugh McCluggage, Darcy Gardiner, and Oscar McInerney.
Coaches
The Brisbane Lions have a stable and experienced coaching staff led by senior coach Chris Fagan. Fagan joined the club at the end of 2016 after serving as an assistant coach at Hawthorn for nine years. He has transformed the Lions from a bottom-four team to a top-four contender in his five seasons at the helm. He signed a two-year contract extension in 2020 that will keep him at the club until at least the end of 2024.
Fagan is supported by a team of assistant coaches who each have specific roles and responsibilities. Damien Austin is the head of high performance who oversees the fitness and conditioning of the players. Scott Borlace is the head of development who manages the VFL team and the academy program. Mark Stone is the strategy coach who analyses the opposition and plans the game style and tactics. Jed Adcock is the backline coach who mentors the defenders and implements defensive structures. Cam Bruce is the midfield and stoppage coach who works with the on-ballers and ruckmen and develops clearance strategies. Murray Davis is the forward line coach who guides the forwards and sets up attacking patterns. Ben Hudson is the VFL coach who leads the reserves team and helps develop young and fringe players. Dale Morris is a development coach who assists with coaching across all areas.
The Brisbane Lions also have a separate coaching staff for their AFLW team led by Craig Starcevich. Starcevich has been the senior coach of the women’s team since its inception in 2017 and has taken them to four grand finals in five seasons. He signed a three-year contract extension in 2020 that will keep him at the club until at least the end of 2023.
Starcevich is assisted by Paul Henriksen (assistant coach – backs), Damien Richards (development coach), Matt Green (high performance manager), Brent Staker (AFLW talent manager), Lauren Arnell (AFLW football operations manager), and Sharni Webb (AFLW welfare manager).
Schedule
The AFL fixture for 2023 has not been released yet, but it is likely that it will follow a similar format to previous years. The fixture will consist of 23 rounds with each club playing 22 matches and having one bye. The fixture will be divided into two parts: rounds one to 15 will be fixed with dates and times confirmed before the season starts; rounds 16 to 23 will be floating with dates and times announced four to six weeks in advance. The fixture for round 24 will be announced around one month ahead of the games to maximise excitement and the best time slots for the final round of the season.
The Brisbane Lions will play 11 home games at the Gabba and 11 away games at various venues across the country. They will also play one home game at Brighton Homes Arena in Springfield Central, which is their new training and administration base. The Lions will aim to secure some marquee games at prime time slots, such as Thursday or Friday nights, as well as some blockbuster clashes against their rivals, such as Collingwood, Richmond, or Gold Coast.
The Brisbane Lions AFLW team will also have a 10-round fixture for 2023, with each club playing nine matches and having one bye. The fixture will be released before the season starts, with dates and times confirmed for each round. The Lions will play five home games at Brighton Homes Arena and five away games at various venues across the country. They will also look to feature in some high-profile games against their opponents, such as Adelaide, Collingwood, or Fremantle.
Ticket
The ticket prices for the Brisbane Lions games in 2023 have not been announced yet, but they are expected to be similar to previous years. The ticket prices will vary depending on factors such as the quality of the visiting opposition, the demand and availability of seats, and the membership status of the buyers. The ticket prices will also differ for AFL and AFLW games, with AFLW tickets being cheaper than AFL tickets.
The Brisbane Lions offer a range of ticket options for their fans, including general admission tickets, reserved seats tickets, premium tickets, group tickets, and family tickets. General admission tickets are the cheapest option that allow access to any unreserved seat or standing area in the stadium. Reserved seats tickets are more expensive but guarantee a specific seat in a designated section of the stadium. Premium tickets are the most expensive but provide access to exclusive areas and facilities in the stadium, such as corporate suites, lounges, or bars. Group tickets are discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more people who want to attend a game together. Family tickets are special packages for families of two adults and two children who want to enjoy a game together.
The Brisbane Lions also offer various membership packages for their loyal supporters, which include benefits such as access to home games, priority access to finals tickets, discounts on merchandise and events, and exclusive content and offers. The membership packages range from basic packages that provide access to three home games to premium packages that provide access to all home games and finals. The membership packages also cater to different types of fans, such as interstate fans, international fans, junior fans, women’s fans, or social club fans.
The best way to secure a ticket for a Brisbane Lions game is to become a member of the club and enjoy all the perks that come with it. Alternatively, fans can buy tickets online through Ticketmaster or at the gate on match day (subject to availability).
Highest Paid Players and Low Paid Players
The Brisbane Lions have a mix of high-paid stars and low-paid rookies on their list, reflecting their balance of experience and youth. The highest paid players are usually the ones who have proven themselves as elite performers over several seasons and have signed long-term contracts with the club. The low paid players are usually the ones who are new to the club or have not yet established themselves as regular players and have signed short-term contracts with the club.
According to The Herald Sun, these are some of the highest paid players and low paid players on the Brisbane Lions list in 2021:
Highest Paid Players:
- Lachie Neale ($900,000-$950,000): The reigning Brownlow medallist is one of the best midfielders in the game and has been a key factor in the Lions’ rise up the ladder. He signed a five-year deal with the club in 2018 after leaving Fremantle.
- Harris Andrews ($800,000-$850,000): The co-captain and All-Australian defender is one of the best interceptors and key position players in the game. He signed a five-year deal with the club in 2019 after being drafted as an academy player in 2014.
- Charlie Cameron ($800,000-$850,000): The dynamic forward is one of the most exciting and dangerous players in the game. He signed a four-year deal with the club in 2020 after joining from Adelaide in 2018.
- Joe Daniher ($800,000-$850,000): The tall forward is one of the most talented and versatile players in the game. He signed a three-year deal with the club in 2020 after leaving Essendon as a free agent.
- Eric Hipwood ($800,000-$850,000): The young forward is one of the most promising and athletic players in the game. He signed a five-year deal with the club in 2019 after being drafted as an academy player in 2014
- Daniel Rich ($800,000-$850,000): The veteran midfielder is one of the most consistent and reliable players in the game. He signed a three-year deal with the club in 2020 after being drafted as a first-round pick in 2008.
Low Paid Players:
- Tom Fullarton ($80,000-$100,000): The rookie ruckman is one of the most inexperienced and raw players in the game. He signed a one-year deal with the club in 2020 after being drafted as a category B rookie in 2018.
- Keidean Coleman ($80,000-$100,000): The rookie defender is one of the most exciting and speedy players in the game. He signed a two-year deal with the club in 2020 after being drafted as an academy player in 2019.
- Connor Ballenden ($80,000-$100,000): The rookie forward is one of the most versatile and tall players in the game. He signed a one-year deal with the club in 2020 after being drafted as an academy player in 2017.
- Deven Robertson ($80,000-$100,000): The rookie midfielder is one of the most hard-working and courageous players in the game. He signed a two-year deal with the club in 2019 after being drafted as a first-round pick in 2019.
- Jaxon Prior ($80,000-$100,000): The rookie defender is one of the most composed and smart players in the game. He signed a two-year deal with the club in 2019 after being drafted as a third-round pick in 2019.
Conclusion
The Brisbane Lions are a well-managed and well-coached club that have a strong and balanced list of players. They have some of the highest paid players and some of the lowest paid players in the league, reflecting their mix of stars and rookies. They have a competitive and attractive fixture for 2023, with some marquee games and blockbuster clashes. They have a range of ticket options and membership packages for their fans, with different prices and benefits. They are one of the most successful and popular clubs in the AFL and AFLW competitions, and they are aiming to win more premierships in the future.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: How many premierships have the Brisbane Lions won?
A: The Brisbane Lions have won three premierships in their history: 2001, 2002, and 2003. They have also reached four other grand finals: 2004, 2017 (AFLW), 2020 (AFLW), and 2021 (AFLW).
Q: Who is the captain of the Brisbane Lions?
A: The Brisbane Lions have two co-captains for their men’s team: Harris Andrews and Dayne Zorko. They also have two co-captains for their women’s team: Emma Zielke and Breanna Koenen.
Q: Who is the coach of the Brisbane Lions?
A: The coach of the Brisbane Lions men’s team is Chris Fagan. The coach of the Brisbane Lions women’s team is Craig Starcevich.
Q: Who is the best player of the Brisbane Lions?
A: The best player of the Brisbane Lions is subjective and depends on personal preference and criteria. However, some of the most decorated and acclaimed players of the club are Lachie Neale (Brownlow Medalist), Harris Andrews (All-Australian), Charlie Cameron (All-Australian), Joe Daniher (Coleman Medalist), Eric Hipwood (All-Australian), Daniel Rich (All-Australian), Kate Lutkins (AFLW Best and Fairest), Emily Bates (All-Australian), Dakota Davidson (All-Australian), Ally Anderson (All-Australian), and Sophie Conway (AFLW Rising Star).
Q: Who is the highest paid player of the Brisbane Lions?
A: The highest paid player of the Brisbane Lions is Lachie Neale, who earns between $900,000 and $950,000 per year.
Q: Who is the lowest paid player of the Brisbane Lions?
aA: The lowest paid player of the Brisbane Lions is Tom Fullarton, who earns between $80,000 and $100,000 per year.
Q: How can I buy tickets for a Brisbane Lions game?
A: You can buy tickets for a Brisbane Lions game online through Ticketmaster or at the gate on match day (subject to availability). You can also become a member of the club and enjoy access to home games and other benefits.
Q: How can I watch a Brisbane Lions game on TV or online?
A: You can watch a Brisbane Lions game on TV or online through various broadcasters and streaming services. For AFL games, you can watch on Channel Seven, Fox Footy, or Kayo Sports. For AFLW games, you can watch on Channel Seven, Fox Footy, or Telstra TV.
Q: How can I support the Brisbane Lions?
A: You can support the Brisbane Lions by becoming a member, buying merchandise, attending games, following them on social media, and cheering them on.
Q: How can I contact the Brisbane Lions?
A: You can contact the Brisbane Lions by phone, email, mail, or online. Their contact details are:
Phone: 07 3335 1777 Email: info@lions.com.au Mail: PO Box 1535, Coorparoo DC QLD 4151 Online: https://www.lions.com.au/contact-us