For Breeanna Brock, Head of of Women’s Football at the Brisbane Lions, Australian rules football is much more than a sport. It’s a platform for change, growth, and opportunity—especially for young women dreaming of leaving their mark in a traditionally male-dominated space. Bree's career has been defined by her passion for the game and her commitment to expanding its reach for women. From humble beginnings to leading one of the AFLW's top teams, her journey is as inspiring as it is groundbreaking.
Bree’s relationship with footy began in her childhood, but not in the way one might expect.
“My dad played Aussie Rules at a pretty good level,” she recalls, “but as a girl, it never crossed my mind to get involved. It was always a boys’ thing.”
That mindset shifted when Bree, along with her sisters, decided to join a local women’s team just for fun.
“We hadn't even really kicked the footy before, but we fell in love with it,” she says. Her first game remains vivid:
“I was standing in the forward line, the ball came towards me, and I marked it, kicked a goal. I thought, ‘Yep, this is it. I’m made for this game.’
What started as a personal discovery of a new passion quickly transformed into a mission to make sure other girls had the same opportunities. Bree dove headfirst into community footy, becoming deeply involved in everything from coaching to administration, earning life membership at her local club, the Zillmere Eagles. Her commitment to grassroots footy eventually led her to roles that would shape the women’s game on a national level.
At the Brisbane Lions, Bree’s leadership has been instrumental in navigating the challenges of running a successful AFLW program.
"The early years were about proving ourselves," Bree explains. “We had to show that AFLW wasn’t just a novelty. We’re a team deserving of real investment, resources, and attention.”
One of the biggest challenges? Integrating a growing women’s program into the broader operations of a club long focused on men’s footy. “It’s not that more men work here than women, but the thinking was always male-dominated—centered on the men’s team,” she notes. With both the men’s and women’s teams making finals in recent years, Bree has helped push the club to run a year-round program despite limited resources.
“We don’t have dual marketing or media teams—we’ve got the same people covering both sides. It’s a huge workload, but we've managed it well.”
The logistical challenges of growing AFLW are matched by financial ones. “Making it an economically viable product has been tough, but we’re getting there,” Bree says.
The AFLW is still finding its footing, but Bree is confident in its future. Her meticulous planning for each season begins well in advance, ensuring that every department at the club is aligned with the team’s needs. “We started this season’s planning back in January, meeting every week. It wasn’t just ‘let’s get through this,’ but making sure we were over-prepared for anything.”
Bree’s influence extends beyond the Brisbane Lions. Her time in the Northern Territory is one of the highlights of her career, where she worked to build women’s leagues from the ground up. “We started with four teams in Darwin, and by the time we were done, we had seven or eight teams in some of the most remote parts of the country,” she recalls. For many girls in those areas, footy wasn’t just a sport; it was a lifeline to better health and community engagement. “Seeing women who never had the opportunity to play suddenly involved, growing through footy, was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.”
Bree’s impact on women’s footy is felt in every corner of the game—from the elite level down to grassroots programs. She’s passionate about growing pathways for women not just as players but also as coaches, administrators, and leaders in the sport. One of her key initiatives is advocating for more women on club boards, something she herself has experienced at the community level. “If you can’t beat them, join them,” she says with a smile.
“Change from within is powerful. You can help shift the thinking by being in those decision-making roles.”
For aspiring players and leaders in AFLW, Bree’s message is clear: there’s space for you. "Whether you're kicking your first goal or dreaming of running a club, the opportunities are here—just be ready to work hard for them." She knows firsthand what it means to break down barriers and build something from the ground up, and she’s determined to keep creating more pathways for the next generation of women to follow in her footsteps.
Now, with the next generation, including her own children, coming through the ranks, Bree sees a bright future for the sport. “It’s surreal to think about where footy has taken me personally and how much it’s influenced my sisters and our families,” she reflects. Her kids are now playing for the same club she helped grow, keeping the love of footy alive in their family.
“To watch them run out in the same guernsey, at the same club where it all started for us, that’s pretty special.”
Breeanna Brock’s story is one of resilience, passion, and belief in the power of sport to create change. For young women dreaming of an AFLW career, Bree is living proof that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible.