STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator ALLMAN-PAYNE (Queensland) (13:34): Congratulations to the Brisbane Lions for another trio of premierships—the second three-peat in the club's history and only the seventh in the history of the league. The final four minutes of the grand final are already the stuff of legend. Seventeen points down, with 'wharfie time' ringing in their ears, the Lions, staring down defeat, produced something magical.

First, Charlie Cameron pounced on a Will Ashcroft kick, turning and curling the ball through the uprights—11 points down. Next, Zac Bailey in heavy traffic snapped a goal out of nothing—five points down. Then Lachie Neale booted the ball upfield, where Hugh McCluggage gathered it and sent it forward to Logan Morris, who calmly slotted it through the middle—64 seconds left, up by one.

In the final minute, the Dockers had a chance to pinch the win, but in a mad scramble the ball ended up in the hands of the omnipresent Will Ashcroft, who dashed his way forward to set up Logan Morris again for the goal that iced the win. The devastation of the Fremantle Dockers and their fans—sorry, Senator Steele-John—who are still searching for their first premiership, is something that all sports fans can relate to.

Being a sports fan can be cruel and heartbreaking, but, at its best, sport unites and inspires us, transcending divisions and demonstrating that great things are possible when we all work together for a shared goal. Thanks to the departing players for their part in this epic achievement and to outgoing coach Chris Fagan, who has contributed so much to the club.

Bring on 2027!