The major systems breakdown that almost derailed Brisbane’s premiership triumph

The Brisbane Lions’ premiership triumph came despite a major data failure in the coaches box.

A systems breakdown on Grand Final day meant the Lions brains trust didn’t have access to key statistics in real time during the game.

Clubs in the modern game are well-versed in the supply and interpretation of key statistical data to aid decision-making, performance analysis and trends while the action is unfolding.

But while Sydney’s IT systems were understood to be operating as normal during the decider, the Lions’ frantic efforts to get online failed.

The reasons behind the technology failure are unclear.

However, it meant the Lions’ team of data analysts were left with precious little to do in the biggest game of the year.

With the contest still close throughout the first quarter, the Brisbane coaching staff made the strategic decision to keep the problem a temporary secret from senior coach Chris Fagan down on the interchange bench.

But when Lions football manager Danny Daly passed Fagan a blank piece of paper instead of the usual data at quarter-time as a light-hearted joke, there was understandable shock.

Yet it would prove to be virtually the only thing that went wrong on a magical day for the Lions, who won their fourth flag with a 60-point demolition of the Swans.