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FIFA World Cup 2026 posterThe shocking stats behind Brisbane’s worrying 2026 slump
SEN • May 25th, 2026 2:29 pm
Is it time to put a line through Brisbane as premiership contenders in 2026?
It might sound ridiculous given the Lions are aiming for back-to-back-to-back flags, but after Sunday’s 78-point defeat to GWS, some certainly think Brisbane are done this season.
The loss consigned the Lions to a 6-5 record, with the second looking extremely average at times in 2026, particularly defensively.
With a big sample size of evidence and results to go off, SEN Breakfast’s Kane Cornes asked his co-host, David King, whether he was willing to rule out the Lions as premiers already.
While King is still keeping some faith in Chris Fagan’s side, he pointed out some hugely worrying statistics that must turn around if the flicker of hope is to remain alive.
Cornes: “We have to start with the back-to-back champs.... are you prepared to put a line through the Lions as we wake up here leading into Round 12?”
King: “I’ve got too much respect for the footy club and what they've done the last couple of years to say at Round 11 they're done, because I still feel like they could gather and find for a 10-week block.
“Now I don't know if that's just fanciful, but the, 'She'll be right', attitude is not going to work. It's going to require a serious sit-down, an honesty session and an eyeball, 'Are we in this or not?'.
“I understand if you're not, and if you're not, have the courage to say you're not. It's one of those types of chats, it's an honest, career-defining and season-shifting moment, because there'll be some players that aren't really invested.
“I highlighted the guys that aren't really putting in defensively. The first sign is that we're not absolutely doing everything to help those down the chain. We're not helping the back six defend... we're choosing to run with the personal reward and not to help the team.
“There are numbers that I stick to, and that's the core four. Right now, without the footy, they are ranked fifth-last in the competition over the last six weeks. It's not the profile of a premier.
“The only team that'll allow you to move the ball coast-to-coast more than Brisbane over the last six weeks is Essendon.
“If that stays remotely near there, they are non-competitive in terms of finals, and if they make them, it'll be the quickest exit you've ever seen.”
Cornes: “It's fixable, and they've shown that they can turn things around.
“There was a game that they played against the Giants in 2024, where they got beaten by 54, and it was awful. Everything that you're saying here was on display as well.
“They were able to turn it around. So I think your attitude is right, that you can't put a line through them yet, but they'd want to rectify this quickly.
“They have enough talent, as we know, to win the premiership for three in a row... I said last week that it would be a good time to drop a name.
“He has never dropped a name, and how could you ever be critical of Chris Fagan, because it's worked for him and his loyalty is often rewarded.
“But is it time for something different to shake the group up?
“Maybe some players finally need to start paying the price at selection.”
Brisbane gets the perfect opportunity to bounce back when they meet ladder leaders Fremantle at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon.
