Gillon let us down, and the hole is now bigger

Eddie McGuire, the man who ignited the controversy (Pat Scala)

Late, as per usual, the Monday AFL press conference from Gillon McLachlan that was meant to be proactive on fixing an important matter ended up being an almighty fizzer.

The Age football writer Caroline Wilson was the victim of a “joke” led and essentially orchestrated by Eddie McGuire, but was ignited by James Brayshaw – and it was cowardly, incredibly immature, and downright wrong, once you read the whole conversation.

What was a golden opportunity for the AFL and the executive team to take a real stance against sexism, inappropriate comments and rude behaviour towards women in the game turned into a mumbling puddle of chaos.

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AFL: How Brisbane need to set themselves for the future

Tom Rockliff v Adelaide (photo: Getty Images)

The battle at the MCG on Saturday night between Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions, in some aspects, is a game-changer.

On the back of a 105 point belting at the hands of the Adelaide Crows, the young Lions brigade received a rude shock.  They cannot make finals, but they can ruffle the Magpies feathers if they bring an A-Game performance.

VWFL: Vic Metro take U/21 Crown

Sarah Perkins (left) and Terri McIntosh (right) go for the ball at Whitten Oval (photo: Davis Harrigan)

Conditions at the Whitten Oval fluctuated throughout the Vic Metro v Vic Country U/21 women’s match on Saturday, but the blue Metro girls took the trophy home, 9.13.67 to 6.10.46.

With the day considered to be the pinnacle for the young talent coming through the Victorian system, it showed, as the girls physicality continued to intensify each quarter.

AFL: 1-5 for the Lions in rebuilding stage

Billings & Raines collide in a tough contest on ANZAC Day (photo: AFL Media)

It has been a while since I took some sort of “point out a problem” stand on Beyond Realisation.  This time around, the target is the Brisbane Lions.

However, rather than call the Lions a target, it is instead a topic that got me very excited on ANZAC Day.  The Lions mustered their first win – albeit a very, very nervous one – by three points against a determined St. Kilda outfit in Wellington.

AFL: Leppitsch at the Lions helm is a positive for 2014

Leppitsch at Lions Training (photo: News Ltd/Steve Pohlner

(from the mouth of a Lions fan)

In sport, experience matters when it comes to leading a list of players.  Each AFL team has around 40 of them; that’s a handful.

For the Brisbane Lions, a new approach with Justin Leppitsch may just be the kickstart needed after two years on the fringe, coupled with some disappointing results.

AFL: 5 magical moments of season 2013, from the Beyond Realisation desk

Jeremy Howe of Melbourne flies high over Heath Grundy (photo: Triple M)

Where to begin?  The season is still going through finals, but AFL fans have seen some spectacular moments that will be embedded in the history books of 2013.

From the screamers to the howlers, the bombs to the flops, and the fabulous dashes across the field, there is no doubting the league has seen a plethora of highlights amidst controversies.

Not every amazing moment from the season will make this list, but here are five occasions where the AFL world stopped, and stared.

AFL: Lions coach Voss will finish at season’s end

Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss (sourced from AFL.com.au)

The Brisbane Lions today announced that coach Michael Voss will not have his contract renewed come seasons end.

Voss took over the coaching reins from Leigh Matthews at the end of the 2008 season, and took the Lions to finals in the 2009 season.  It is reported the club offered Voss the opportunity to coach out the year, but he is believed to have declined.

AFL: Baby Giants taking steps in the right direction

GWS Guernsey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They might be finishing just their second season in the AFL, but the Greater Western Sydney Giants have shown they will not go down without a fight.  Under the guidance of veteran Kevin Sheedy, the new boys in town have pushed some of the powerhouse teams until they can go no further.

With GWS coming towards the end of its second season in the AFL, the hype that surrounds the young brigade in the side is no secret.  The likes of Jeremy Cameron, who has blossomed this year in the forward line, and Dylan Shiel are fast becoming the core of the Giants side.

AFL: Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns: Round 15 Preview

Brisbane Lions logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In March, not many people would have foreseen this game to be much entertainment.  The Gold Coast Suns, entering their third year in the competition, have now exceeded all expectations, and have taken the long handle to the likes of powerhouse teams Hawthorn and Essendon.  Against another struggling team in the Brisbane Lions, the Suns shape up as a real contender at the Gabba.

AFL: Brisbane Lions: Players in Focus: Brent Staker and Rohan Bewick

The past few years have seen a plethora of talent signed up to the Brisbane Lions.  Perhaps the results have not gone entirely the way of the maroon, blue, and gold, but in Brent Staker and Rohan Bewick, there are two gems who are critical to the next generation of the Lions.

Brent Staker v Essendon, May 18, 2013 (photo mine)

Staker

The former West Coast Eagle has been at the Lions for almost four years, but a series of long injuries have curbed both his impact and playing time at the club.