Roaring return: Brisbane lions receive water cannon salute
The 2025 AFL Premiers have been welcomed home in style at Brisbane Airport, with their aircraft receiving a spectacular water cannon salute upon arrival, a fitting tribute to the Brisbane Lions' triumphant back-to-back success at the MCG.
The team touched down at 3.35pm on board Virgin Australia flight VA9002, where excited fans had gathered at Gate 43 in the Domestic Terminal to greet players.
The ceremonial water cannon salute was proudly performed by Airservices Australia’s Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) service. Using roof-mounted water cannons (also known as monitors), the salute created a dramatic arch of water over the aircraft as it taxied to the gate, a tradition often reserved for special occasions such as inaugural flights or retirements.
Fans cheered as the Lions emerged from the aircraft, proudly carrying the AFL Premiership Cup.
“This is the first of many well-deserved celebrations to come,” said Brisbane Airport spokesperson Peter Doherty.
“It’s fantastic to see so many passionate fans at the airport, and to acknowledge the thousands who made the journey to Melbourne to support the team.
“We know some fans have already booked airline tickets to make the journey to the MCG for the 2026 Grand Final, hoping for a three-peat.”
Friday marked an all-time record for Brisbane Airport, with the highest number of passengers ever recorded in a single day, with 82,779 people passing through the Domestic and International terminals.
The passenger numbers were fueled by fans travelling for the AFL, NRL and the start of New South Wales school holidays, delivering thousands of tourists to Queensland.