[1] In the 2023 season, the Lions had to contend with the loss of key players Emily Bates, Greta Bodey and Jesse Wardlaw, who departed for other clubs, and Kate Lutkins, who was pregnant.

[1] Wardlaw's departure put additional pressure on Dakota Davidson, who now became the primary target up forward, and Belle Dawes was called upon to replace Bates in the midfield.

[2] After losing to Melbourne in the 2022 Grand Final, the team embarked on an intense pre-season training regime that included a 20-kilometre trail hike carrying 14 full metal jerry cans between them.

Fox Footy's broadcast was hosted by Kelli Underwood, with special inputs from former Bulldogs captain, 2018 Premiership player and 3-time All-Australian Ellie Blackburn, 2-time All-Australian Ruby Schleicher and Carlton coach Daniel Harford, with Fox commentator Jess Webster providing updates and interviews from Ikon Park.

FiveAA Brisbane, QLD Perth, WA Adelaide, SA Bruce Eva Damien Keeping ARIA Award-winning singer-songwriter G Flip was designated to perform in the pre-game entertainment.

[14] They were joined by former Brisbane Lions players Sabrina Frederick and Jesse Wardlaw, who now play for Collingwood and St Kilda respectively, on drums for their song Rough.

[15] North Melbourne's Emma Kearney, Jenna Bruton and Kim Rennie had won a premiership with the Western Bulldogs in 2018 Grand Final.

[21] This was a major blow, as Bruton had been a key figure in the preliminary final win against Adelaide,[21][22] and it limited North Melbourne's rotations against one of the fittest teams in the competition.

[15][16][21] Brisbane hit back in the early second quarter when youngster Charlotte Mullins scored an improbable goal from a long range snap shot that managed to get past the North Melbourne defence and bounced across the line.

It took some brilliant work from Brisbane's Ally Anderson to deliver the ball to forward Ellie Hampson, who marked uncontested inside the 50 metre arc and booted a goal.

North Melbourne continued winning centre clearances and attacking, but Brisbane's forward line, led by Bre Koenen, stood firm.

Brisbane was successful in keeping North Melbourne's key forward Tahlia Randall quiet, but tagger Cathy Svarc had more difficulty with Jasmine Garner, and Bre Koenen was moved into the midfield to contain her.

[15][16] Brisbane wing Sophie Conway was given a head injury assessment at three-quarter time but returned to the field mid-way through the final quarter.

[3] She had been quiet, perhaps due to her knee injury, which clearly had not fully healed, but now managed to soar above a pack and take a strong contested mark.

[21] Finally, with four minutes remaining, Bre Koenen, who had been a lion in defence in more ways than one, came forward to kick a goal and put the result beyond doubt.