Ryan Lester’s wife Emi Lester (nee Zorko), has publicly expressed her disappointment and frustration with the Brisbane Lions’ management following a recent string of decisions that have affected her husband’s standing and, consequently, their family. In a statement filled with a mix of sadness and disappointment, she shared her perspective on the situation, noting that her family’s life has been significantly impacted by the club’s handling of recent developments. She pointed out that Lester, a long-standing member of the team who has shown consistent dedication, loyalty, and perseverance throughout his career, has been treated in a way that she feels is unjust and dismissive. For someone who has spent over a decade contributing to the club’s growth and success, she feels her husband deserves more respect and consideration from the team he has been so committed to.
The tension has reportedly been building over time as Lester’s playing time diminished, but it reached a breaking point recently due to what she describes as a lack of transparency and communication from the club’s management. She believes that the administration should be more open about their intentions with players like Ryan, who have invested so much of their lives into the club. She highlighted how Lester has consistently stepped up whenever needed, regardless of the role, and has maintained a positive attitude even when his contributions went underappreciated. To her, these attributes make his recent treatment even harder to accept.
According to her, one of the biggest issues with the Brisbane Lions’ management is what she perceives as their failure to acknowledge the toll that these decisions take on players’ families. She noted that players like her husband have families who also experience the highs and lows of professional sports life. She shared how their children look up to their father as a hero, and it’s heartbreaking for them to see him treated in a way that feels dismissive of his contributions. In her view, the management’s lack of empathy in handling such situations is disappointing, and it raises questions about the values the organization holds.
She went on to express frustration with the club’s recent focus on bringing in younger talent, which has left experienced players like Ryan feeling as though they are being phased out. While she understands the need for a club to remain competitive, she believes that there is a respectful way to handle transitions. She cited examples of other clubs that maintain strong relationships with their long-standing players even after they step away from playing. In contrast, she feels that the Brisbane Lions have not afforded Ryan the same courtesy, leaving their family to deal with the emotional and logistical upheaval without the support she believes they deserve.
In closing, Lester’s wife addressed the club’s recent statement on player responsibilities, where the club implied that players bear a significant share of the responsibility for their career outcomes. She found this message insensitive, as it seemingly places the burden solely on the players rather than acknowledging the role that management decisions play in shaping these careers. Her final words were a heartfelt call for accountability, hoping that the club would take steps to improve how it treats its players and their families in the future. She reiterated that players like her husband dedicate themselves to the team not just for personal achievement, but because they believe in the values the club stands for. For the sake of future players and their families, she hopes the Brisbane Lions will reflect on these issues and implement changes that ensure a more respectful and transparent process in the future.
As a wife and a mother, she emphasized that her concerns extend beyond her husband; she wants the organization to consider how its decisions affect the broader club community.
