Sport
30 September, 2025
Maryborough’s Kai Lohmann wins second AFL Premiership Medal with Lions
Maryborough product Kai Lohmann can now call himself a two-time AFL premiership player after playing a critical role in the Brisbane Lions’ 2025 AFL Grand Final triumph over the Geelong Cats.
In front of over 100,000 people inside a packed MCG, Lohmann’s Lions produced a late third-quarter burst which broke the shackles of a tense match, before exploding for nine goals in the final quarter to secure back-to-back premierships.
After having an instant impact in the 2024 Grand Final by kicking three of Brisbane’s first five goals against Sydney, Lohmann was keen to impose his mark on the big stage once again.
However, the 22-year-old’s day threatened to end before it even started, as an errant knee from teammate Logan Morris left him busted open and forced to come off the ground to get his head bandaged.
Lohmann quickly returned to the field after the incident, getting on the end of a beautiful kick from superstar teammate Hugh McCluggage to have a set shot from 35 meters out.
Despite some early Brisbane misses, Lohmann made no mistake, kicking the Lions’ first goal in back-to-back grand finals, which helped settle the nerves.
Neither team could generate any sustained separation throughout a tense, low-scoring first half, as the Cats and Lions entered the main break deadlocked at 5.6.(36) apiece.
With two-time Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale subbed into the game to start the second half, Brisbane threatened to overwhelm Geelong midway through the third quarter.
The Cats did their best to weather the storm, but the dam wall began to crack when Lohmann latched onto a loose ball and unselfishly handballed over to Charlie Cameron to get the Lions roaring.
After Neale kicked a brilliant goal outside 50 to give Brisbane a 19-point lead at three-quarter time, the final term signalled party time for the Lions.
With four of the first five majors in the fourth quarter, Brisbane virtually had both hands on the premiership cup before Lohmann put some extra icing on the cake with his second goal of the game, coupled with one of his signature celebrations.
It was a memorable moment in a parade of cathartic joy for the Lions faithful during the final quarter, clinching their fifth premiership in the AFL era with a 47-point victory.
With another chance to get his hands on football’s holy grail, the Maryborough product once again stood up on the big stage.
He finished with two goals, a tied season best 17 disposals, four marks, two tackles and seven score involvements.
It’s the exclamation point on a brilliant finals series for Lohmann, averaging two goals, 14.5 disposals, three tackles and just under four marks across four games.
With Lohmann being one of eight Lions aged 22 or under, Brisbane looks poised to contend with their dynasty of the early 2000s, almost certainly in the hunt for a third consecutive premiership in 2026.