Brisbane Lions deny rumours off-season US trip has caused player rift

Brisbane Lions co-captain Harris Andrews has insisted there are no internal tensions at the club, dismissing the impact of an off-season trip on the club’s poor start in the AFL.

Last year’s grand finalists are 0-3 heading into Friday’s Gather Round date against North Melbourne, and are feeling the pressure after reports that the club’s efforts in 2023 sparked a locker room rift.

Lions football boss Danny Daly faced the media on Monday to deny there had been a “crisis meeting” after the allegations were aired on Friday.

He called reporting on the incident “poor, insensitive and factually incorrect.”

Daly said he had called co-captains Andrews and Lachie Neale for assurances there was no division within the playing group, and insisted no personal relationships had ended because of the trip.

“It’s been an interesting Easter from the club’s point of view,” he said.

“We reached out to our leaders and they assured us… there is no story.

“I always trust our playing group, that’s where it all ends. The trip has nothing to do with our performance on the field.

“This group has been through many highs and adversities together. We have complete confidence in them.”

Andrews, who was on vacation in Europe while a small group of teammates went away together in October and November, is confident the team is not divided.

“There’s never any tension…there’s nothing to stress about,” he said.