Brisbane Lions midfielder Jarrod Berry has issued a pointed call to arms for the club’s leadership group, urging them to elevate their game following a string of disappointing results. The Lions currently find themselves at a precarious 6-6 win-loss record halfway through the season, languishing two games and percentage outside the coveted top four. Crucially, several key players are performing well below the exceptional standards they set during the club’s back-to-back premiership campaigns.
Berry articulated the team’s current predicament, suggesting that the leadership cohort, in their earnest desire to inspire and guide, have inadvertently strayed from their primary on-field responsibilities. “I think there’s a number of us, nearly our whole leadership group is trying to be a leader, before they’re a footballer,” Berry remarked. He elaborated on this sentiment, highlighting the fine line between proactive leadership and individual performance. “It’s one of those things that comes out of such a good place and that’s why we love them, but that’s going to turn because you make a few little adjustments, guys get on the back of that, their performance lifts and we’re fine.” He stressed a philosophy of measured response, stating, “No panic stations, it’s never as good, never as bad as it seems.”
The Lions’ leadership structure is robust, with co-captains Harris Andrews, Hugh McCluggage, and Josh Dunkley at the helm. Alongside them, Oscar Allen, Jarrod Berry himself, Cam Rayner, Jaspa Fletcher, and Will Ashcroft form a formidable leadership contingent. Berry drew a parallel to an earlier lesson learned at the commencement of the 2024 season, where a similar overemphasis on leadership presence, rather than consistent individual execution, proved detrimental. “We learned this lesson at the start of 2024 – we were trying to be leaders before we were footballers and our most important asset to the team is performing and doing our own role well so knowing what your role is and executing that as well as possible.”
The path ahead for Brisbane remains challenging, with an immediate stern test against fierce rivals Gold Coast Suns this weekend. Berry acknowledged the demanding nature of their recent fixture list, noting that the Lions have been navigating a gauntlet of in-form opponents. Despite the recent setbacks, Berry identified a flicker of resilience in the team’s performances against both the GWS Giants and Fremantle. He pointed to the final quarters of these matches as a minor positive, where the team demonstrated a resurgence of their characteristic brand of football.
“I think you see that in the last quarter on the weekend. We played more our brand of football,” Berry added, expressing a desire to build on these fleeting moments of form. He candidly admitted that the team’s efforts, particularly from some of their senior players, may have been counterproductive in their eagerness to rectify the situation. “It’s really important we do take the positives away from that and it’s one of those things, I don’t think it’s a lack of effort, I think on the weekend we went the other way and tried too hard especially some of our leaders were trying to make an impact across the group to get that right.”
The upcoming Q Clash against the Suns represents more than just another fixture; it’s an opportunity for the Lions to regroup and recalibrate. Berry emphasised the significance of this rivalry and the chance it presents for the team to prove their mettle. “We always look forward to the Q Clash, a great rivalry between us and the Suns. It’s another opportunity for us to test ourselves and improve.” The focus for Brisbane now shifts to rediscovering their championship form, with the leadership group tasked with setting the example through their own performances on the field. The club and its supporters will be keenly watching to see if they can heed Berry’s call and reignite their season.
