2026 Pre-Season Thread

[mighty_lions]

So how do other clubs manage to produce a significant amount more social media engagement then we do?

Maybe you employ more people?

do they? and do they go as long in the season?

What more content would you like?

 

[BangyBangy]

So how do other clubs manage to produce a significant amount more social media engagement then we do?

Maybe you employ more people?

Are you suggesting this is the key to our premiership success? Other teams spend soft cap on marketing whereas we spend on coaching & player development?

I'm 100% on board with that Nathan.

 

[mighty_lions]

Are you suggesting this is the key to our premiership success? Other teams spend soft cap on marketing whereas we spend on coaching & player development?

I'm 100% on board with that Nathan.

where did I suggest that?

a quick look at geelongs instagram is pretty similar to ours

 

[Nathan Barley]

do they? and do they go as long in the season?

What more content would you like?

Yes. Irrelevant

Injury updates

 

[mighty_lions]

Yes. Irrelevant

Injury updates

injury updates? its pre season, show me an official injury list from any team that hasn't come from the afl website

and theres an injury report every week in season

 

[mighty_lions]

Yes. Irrelevant

Injury updates

for reference this is geelongs

Geelong Cats Health Hub

Get the latest Geelong Cats injury news and recovery stories

www.geelongcats.com.au

Nothing

 

[Nathan Barley]

injury updates? its pre season, show me an official injury list from any team that hasn't come from the afl website

and theres an injury report every week in season

You asked me what I wanted to see

Pre-season injury update

The Eagles are back into pre-season training ahead of the upcoming 2026 campaign

www.westcoasteagles.com.au

for reference this is geelongs

Geelong Cats Health Hub

Get the latest Geelong Cats injury news and recovery stories

www.geelongcats.com.au

Nothing

Yep other clubs do it worse. Again, irrelevant

 

[irel]

you all are a bunch of whingers in relation to social media content, we've gone longer in the season than anyone in both the men and women's, this means that the people who do the social media take holidays later, the women's grand final was on the 29th November, one of the girls who does the social media only returned back to work recently

I’d like to think there are people at the club who don’t take such a dismissive, and frankly insulting, view of supporter concerns. But you may have unintentionally highlighted the real issue: the club seems comfortable treating our digital presence and social‑media engagement as an afterthought, as long as membership numbers look healthy.

If the entire digital presence of a professional Brisbane Lions organisation genuinely hinges on “one girl” returning from holidays to pump out a few clips of Charlie dancing, then that says more about the club’s priorities than it does about the supporters raising concerns. At my workplace, people take leave at times that minimise disruption, and the organisation ensures proper coverage so the customer experience isn’t affected. That’s just basic operational planning.

Calling people ‘whingers’ when they’ve taken the time to offer thoughtful, accurate, and constructive criticism is disrespectful. These aren’t tantrums, they’re valid observations about an area where the club consistently lags behind the competition. Supporters aren’t asking for miracles; they’re asking for a level of professionalism that matches the on‑field success.

 

[mighty_lions]

You asked me what I wanted to see

Pre-season injury update

The Eagles are back into pre-season training ahead of the upcoming 2026 campaign

www.westcoasteagles.com.au

Yep other clubs do it worse. Again, irrelevant

I must of missed when either the west coast mens or women's team made finals, you saying its irrelevant makes no sense its like saying why aren't we training in November?

 

[Nathan Barley]

I must of missed when either the west coast mens or women's team made finals, you saying its irrelevant makes no sense its like saying why aren't we training in November?

I must have missed the AFL media employee union started enforcing a mandated break between the end of the season and when they return to work

I guess other club employees like Dom Ambrogio and the recruitment team take October and November off as well

 

[mighty_lions]

I’d like to think there are people at the club who don’t take such a dismissive, and frankly insulting, view of supporter concerns. But you may have unintentionally highlighted the real issue: the club seems comfortable treating our digital presence and social‑media engagement as an afterthought, as long as membership numbers look healthy.

If the entire digital presence of a professional Brisbane Lions organisation genuinely hinges on “one girl” returning from holidays to pump out a few clips of Charlie dancing, then that says more about the club’s priorities than it does about the supporters raising concerns. At my workplace, people take leave at times that minimise disruption, and the organisation ensures proper coverage so the customer experience isn’t affected. That’s just basic operational planning.

Calling people ‘whingers’ when they’ve taken the time to offer thoughtful, accurate, and constructive criticism is disrespectful. These aren’t tantrums, they’re valid observations about an area where the club consistently lags behind the competition. Supporters aren’t asking for miracles; they’re asking for a level of professionalism that matches the on‑field success.

Youre acting like theres no content none whatsoever, theres plenty and its pretty similar to geelongs, I haven't audited all 18 other clubs but I doubt its too much different to ours

 

[Nathan Barley]

Youre acting like theres no content none whatsoever, theres plenty and its pretty similar to geelongs, I haven't audited all 18 other clubs but I doubt its too much different to ours

Geelong has made 19 posts to Instagram this week compared to our 7

In the last 2 months we’ve posted 1 video to our YouTube channel, Geelong has posted dozens

 

[BangyBangy]

where did I suggest that?

a quick look at geelongs instagram is pretty similar to ours

???

I was talking to / joking with Nathan.

At no time ever have I potted the club about SM or online promotions.

 

[irel]

Youre acting like theres no content none whatsoever, theres plenty and its pretty similar to geelongs, I haven't audited all 18 other clubs but I doubt its too much different to ours

You’re not really engaging with what people are saying. No one is claiming there’s “no content whatsoever.” The concerns raised over the last few days, and honestly, over the last few years, are about the quality, consistency, and professionalism of our digital/media output. This isn’t a sudden tantrum, it’s a long‑standing pattern supporters have been pointing out for ages.

Saying “it’s similar to Geelong’s” or “I haven’t checked the other clubs” doesn’t address the actual issue. The frustration isn’t about a single post or a quiet week, it’s about a chronic lack of strategy, engagement, and presence from a club that should be leading the way, not lagging behind.

Supporters aren’t being unreasonable. They’re asking for a level of communication and professionalism that matches the on‑field success of the club. Dismissing that as whinging just shows you’re not tuned in to the genuine concerns being raised.

 

[Nathan Barley]

You’re not really engaging with what people are saying. No one is claiming there’s “no content whatsoever.” The concerns raised over the last few days, and honestly, over the last few years, are about the quality, consistency, and professionalism of our digital/media output. This isn’t a sudden tantrum, it’s a long‑standing pattern supporters have been pointing out for ages.

Saying “it’s similar to Geelong’s” or “I haven’t checked the other clubs” doesn’t address the actual issue. The frustration isn’t about a single post or a quiet week, it’s about a chronic lack of strategy, engagement, and presence from a club that should be leading the way, not lagging behind.

Supporters aren’t being unreasonable. They’re asking for a level of communication and professionalism that matches the on‑field success of the club. Dismissing that as whinging just shows you’re not tuned in to the genuine concerns being raised.

Plus it’s a missed opportunity for the club to make more money

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Yes, we're on top now and generally at times like this, attracting sponsors is not as hard. But even in the good times, the sponsorship market is not what it was. weevil 's point about leaving sponsorship dollars on the table is well made. Good SM metrics mean sponsors are going to be more visible, meaning we can charge more or attract them easier. I'm sure we all remember the powerhouses Camperdown Diary and XL Express.It also means we might be able to get away from the likes of Neds and TAB. And improving our bottom line means we might be able to get away from relying on pokie revenue.

I'm not sure why it's that hard to grasp...

Is our SM game bad? Not really. Could it be better? Absolutely.

 

[martinson]

I don't ever bother accessing our website. Pretty much useless for any new or original content. Looks like a website of 15 years ago.

As for SM if it wasn't for Fish who knows what's going on.

It's not something that affects me overly. But I do wonder from time to time what they hell are we up to and how much publicity and consequent marketing/ income opportunities we miss out on.

Left field idea. Get Jules Neale to be our SM information and access Manager. She seems into it and would guarantee constant media attention. Sometimes you have to think outside the square.

 

[Nathan Barley]

I don't ever bother accessing our website. Pretty much useless for any new or original content. Looks like a website of 15 years ago.

As for SM if it wasn't for Fish who knows what's going on.

It's not something that affects me overly. But I do wonder from time to time what they hell are we up to and how much publicity and consequent marketing/ income opportunities we miss out on.

Left field idea. Get Jules Neale to be our SM information and access Manager. She seems into it and would guarantee constant media attention. Sometimes you have to think outside the square.

She's probably spending as much money on a social media team as the club is

 

[Cousin Jed]

I’m sure if you hit up Molly the digital employee on insta she’ll take it on board. And you can check out her puppies while you are there

 

[weevil]

Other than that, you seem to agree with much of the post, but frame it in a way that makes it sound like you disagree.

I’m sure if you hit up Molly the digital employee on insta she’ll take it on board. And you can check out her puppies while you are there

And to be perfectly clear, this is in no way directed at the staff. They are nearly always underpaid and stretched to the limit in these situations. It's 100% about the strategic decision-making.

 

[BrainOfMorbius]

Not saying the SM stuff isn't worthy of a discussion, but perhaps it deserves its own thread.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

We better slow down the Curtain hype or St Kilda will ask for the ‘brother of AFL player to a seperate club’ rule to be seriously looked at.

 

[Maboo]

We better slow down the Curtain hype or St Kilda will ask for the ‘brother of AFL player to a seperate club’ rule to be seriously looked at.

Well that abuse fest was shut down, and all the posts deleted, one of those guys called Fages a racist. I reported the post and am considering passing on the screenshot to the club, **** them.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

Well that abuse fest was shut down, and all the posts deleted, one of those guys called Fages a racist. I reported the post and am considering passing on the screenshot to the club, **** them.

Yeah I saw that, just some goose in his mums basement, fancy having a go at Fages, no doubt the most respected man in football at the minute. I’m glad they shut it down, bit ridiculous from both of us but I just don’t like that dude or his posts in reality, I have never met him. He/she/moggy likes to throw around alcoholism, family issues and mental health rubbish because he got nothing else and then gets his claws out when gets a bit back. Should ignore him but looks like I not mature enough sometimes which is a concern at my age.

 

[briztoon]

We better slow down the Curtain hype or St Kilda will ask for the ‘brother of AFL player to a seperate club’ rule to be seriously looked at.

Curtin.

Well that abuse fest was shut down, and all the posts deleted, one of those guys called Fages a racist. I reported the post and am considering passing on the screenshot to the club, **** them.

Where was all this?