Brisbane Lions' star Cam Rayner has etched his name into AFL history, joining an elite group of No.1 draft picks who have tasted premiership success.
After the Lions' resounding 60-point victory over the Sydney Swans in the 2024 AFL Grand Final, Rayner became just the fifth player selected first overall in the national draft to claim a coveted premiership medallion.
Selected by Brisbane as the No.1 pick in 2017, Rayner's journey from top draft pick to premiership player was far from easy. He follows in the footsteps of Drew Banfield, Des Headland, Luke Hodge, and Tom Boyd—other No.1 selections who have lifted the premiership cup.
When Rayner was drafted to Brisbane, the club was in disarray, finishing last on the ladder in 2017. For a No.1 pick, the weight of expectation was immense, especially amid the Lions' search for a player to help revive their fortunes, with Rayner seen as a cornerstone of the rebuild.
The young forward endured a challenging start to his AFL career, winning only five games in his debut season. Despite this, Rayner's talent was undeniable. His mix of power, athleticism, and natural goal sense made him an immediate standout, and he quickly established himself as a key figure in Brisbane's developing forward line.
Rayner's growth mirrored that of the Lions. As the team began its rapid ascent up the ladder, making finals appearances every season since 2019, Rayner continued to refine his game. However, premiership success remained elusive - until now.
Brisbane's 2024 season was anything but smooth. The Lions stumbled early, recording a 2-5 win-loss record, leaving their finals hopes hanging by a thread. But the team rallied, winning 14 of their last 16 games to storm to premiership success from outside the top four, another rare achievement on the day.
Reflecting on the journey, Rayner summed up the feeling: “I just said to my mum before, I said this makes it all worth it. To come to a club as a No.1 pick, it means they're on the bottom of the ladder. To be able to do this journey with this group of boys, and to have Chris Fagan – who was under the pump all season – he and we have proved all of those doubters wrong.”
The Grand Final itself was a statement of dominance from Brisbane. After leading by a staggering 73 points at three-quarter time, Rayner allowed himself to believe the dream was real.
“In the last quarter, I looked at Eric Hipwood and Joey Daniher and said, ‘I think we're premiership players,'” Rayner said, recalling the emotion of the moment.
One of the highlights of the game came deep in the third quarter, with Rayner soaring over Sydney's defenders to take a powerful pack mark. Moments like these punctuated Brisbane's dominance, cementing his contribution to this match and Brisbane's September campaign overall.
With this premiership, Rayner joins a rare group of No.1 picks who have achieved ultimate success. It's a notable milestone, given the pressures and expectations placed on players selected first overall in the AFL draft.
Rayner's journey reflects the grind of AFL football, where nothing is guaranteed, even for the most highly-touted talents.
As the 24-year-old reflects on the years that brought him to this point, his name will be remembered alongside some of the game's greats—a premiership player, and a key piece in Brisbane's remarkable resurgence.