The nine biggest AFL stories of 2024

The story of a club's rise to premiership glory is usually one where all stars align.

But Brisbane's 2024 season was anything but and yet culminated in one of the greatest flags in the modern game.

Beginning 12 months earlier, the Lions suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Collingwood in the 2023 decider, losing by an agonising four points after a quartet of seasons left with nothing but disappointment.

The club was filled with stars across the entire board, and critics started to believe that Chris Fagan wasn't the right man for the job despite the talent walking the halls at Brisbane.

That notion was fuelled more when the Lions suffered a 0-3 start to the year as the wretched run of injuries began.

At Round 14, sitting in 13th position with a casualty catalogue as long as a shopping list, all hope had been dashed.

But a stoic nine-game win streak placed the 2023 runners-up back in contention, placed second and two points off of the top spot.

A dip in form saw the Lions lose two of their past three matches, claiming fifth spot and a home elimination final.

Brisbane dismantled Carlton to a point of embarrassment and quickly set their sights on GWS, who narrowly lost to premiership favourites Sydney.

The Giants stormed out to a 44-point lead midway through the third term, and it looked like the final four was set.

However, some Joe Daniher heroics snatched the victory away from GWS, putting the Lions in the penultimate weekend once again.

A clash with Geelong descended onto the MCG, having the makings of what would be one of the best games of 2024.

The Cats' cream rose to the top, and, following an early major in the third quarter, led the Lions by 25 points as the heavens opened up.

Only seven days earlier had Brisbane been in this position and knew exactly what to do, with a spot in the grand final against Sydney on the line.

Fagan's men narrowly claimed the lead heading into the final change but were forced to wrestle back the advantage following brilliance from Jeremy Cameron and Ollie Henry.

Enter Callum Ah Chee and Cam Rayner. The Lions needed someone to stand up, and their dynamic forwards answered the club's prayers.

Brisbane would get the chance to redeem their hard luck from 12 months earlier.

A hot start to the 2024 decider gave fans an inkling that another classic would be on its way, with pressure getting to all 44 players.

But unlike their previous two weeks, the Lions would be the ones to take a commanding lead, only this time, the opposing side was unable to run it down.

Brisbane led by 34 points at half-time, then extended it past 10 goals as Fagan delivered one final message.

Daniher put a full stop to the day with the final goal of the match, aligning perfectly with his shock retirement.

Star midfielder Will Ashcroft toasted his success with a Norm Smith Medal, joining his father (Marcus) as a Brisbane premiership player.

Fagan defied all the odds to become the first AFL premiership coach who did not play at the top level.

There are storylines across the entire board for Brisbane.

But from where they were at the start of the year: the poor form, countless injuries and external noise, the Lions' 2024 premiership ranks among the top in the modern game.