Brisbane is invoking a legendary phrase from its past as it prepares to confront the formidable North Melbourne in the AFLW Grand Final at Ikon Park this Saturday night. In a move reminiscent of the 2001 season, Brisbane captain Bre Koenen has rallied her team with the iconic words, “If it bleeds, we can kill it,” originally popularized by Leigh Matthews before a pivotal match against Essendon.
The phrase, borrowed from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s film Predator, inspired the Lions to a victory that year, setting them on a path to win three consecutive premierships. Now, 24 years later, the Lions hope to replicate that success against the Kangaroos, who have achieved a record-breaking 26-match winning streak.
“They are a great team and favourites for a reason,” Koenen told AFL.com.au. “They’ve had an amazing year, but what’s Leigh Matthews’ old saying? If it bleeds, we can kill it. That’s our mentality.”
The Road to the Grand Final
For much of the past two years, North Melbourne has appeared invincible, but the Lions have faced and overcome significant adversity to reach this point. Brisbane’s season began shakily, with a 29-point loss to the Kangaroos in round five dropping them to 2-3 and seemingly out of finals contention.
Despite early setbacks, the Lions have since won nine consecutive games, including overcoming quarter-time deficits against Melbourne and Carlton in November to secure their place in the Grand Final. This remarkable turnaround has been fueled by a new game style and a resilient team spirit.
Leadership and Growth
Koenen’s leadership has been pivotal during this challenging journey. Since taking over as captain from Emma Zielke in 2022, she has navigated the highs and lows of leading a team through difficult times. “Having now been a few years into my journey, I have so much more appreciation for how much influence I can have on the group,” Koenen said.
Her growth as a leader has been matched by her development as a player, becoming a formidable defender and a respected captain. Koenen’s journey has included losing the 2022 Grand Final to Melbourne, winning against North Melbourne in 2023, and then facing defeat to the same opponent last year.
Reflecting on Past Challenges
Reflecting on the 30-point loss to North Melbourne 12 months ago, Koenen and her team have engaged in serious introspection. “You overanalyse everything, especially when you lose,” she said. “Last year we weren’t even that far behind going into the last quarter, and it felt like we were down by a country mile.”
This year, the Lions have focused on maintaining belief in their process and removing emotion from their gameplay. “We’ve just learned so much in having belief in our process and trying to take as much of the emotion out as possible,” Koenen explained.
The Legacy of Success
Brisbane’s consistent performance, reaching seven Grand Finals in 10 years, is a testament to the team’s enduring strength and resilience. “I don’t think we’ll appreciate how amazing that is until we’re long retired,” Koenen remarked, highlighting the significance of their achievements.
As the Lions prepare to face North Melbourne, they carry with them the weight of history and the hope of creating new legends. The upcoming match not only represents a chance for redemption but also an opportunity to cement their legacy in AFLW history.
With the echoes of Leigh Matthews’ words resonating through the team, Brisbane is poised to challenge the Kangaroos’ reign and perhaps, once again, make history.
