Section 5
Norm Smith Medallist
- Nov 26, 2018
- 9,304
- 14,877
- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
Lions v Crows Friday 6/6/25 Adelaide Oval 7.40pm AEST 2nd v 3rd
Weather: Long range forecast is for showers, temperature 15 C down to 12 C, rain 90% chance with 1-10mm.
Recent History
There have been 8 encounters since the Lions became relevant in 2019.
Lions have 6 wins: 4 at The Gabba, 2 at Adelaide Oval – 1 Draw 90 all at Adelaide Oval.
Crows: 1 win at Adelaide oval – 1 Draw 90 all at Adelaide Oval.
Preseason 2025 at BHA: Crows 97 Lions 94. Both sides near full strength.
On the weekend Lions by 18 over Essendon equal 9th with one game in hand.
Crows by 90 over Swans 14th.
Both coaches have had a look at each other's side in the official preseason game.
Teams were close to full strength then, it was preseason, but still, something to work off.
Crows
The Crows recent form is good. Their best recent game form wise was a 10-point loss to the Pies at the MCG.
Then a couple of wins over easy teams in Eagles (66 points) and Swans (90).
They have quite a few avenues to goal and have posted some big scores this year, even in a few losses.
135, 161, 114, 90 (L), 100 (L), 53, 67 (L), 110, 89, 68 (L), 128, 131.
Who are the Crows main goal kickers this season after 12 rounds. Looks an even spread of smalls & talls.
Fogarty 28 (11 games), Thilthorpe 27, Rachele 20 (9), Keays 20, Walker 19 (11) Rankine 15, Neale-Bullen 11.
Lions
The Lions recent form is up and down but we sit 2nd on the ladder so all good for now.
The Essendon win was hard fought, off a 5-day break and i thought it was a good contest in slippery conditions.
That may help or not if the forecast is correct.
I thought we played well but a lot on BF saw it differently.
We have not lost an away game this year so let's hope that continues.
Don’t want a draw though, that only happen on Mother's Day anyhow.
Unlike the Crows we have only exceeded 100 points three times in 2025 being 118 v Tigers, 118 v Dogs and you guessed it 118 v Saints.
How Will Lions Get the Win
We need to get back to winning contested possessions and clearances. A no brainer but not always ease to do.
Dunkley likely has a run with role on Dawson their best midfielder and one of the best in the AFL.
If we can restrict Dawson i think our midfield should get on top.
Our defense v their forwards will be crucial for the Lions to win this game.
Would be great to restrict the Crows to a McDonalds score of 70, so no extra fries for those Crows this week.
Crows forward talls: Fogarty, Thilthorpe (F/R), Walker v Lions Andrews, Payne, Lester.
Crows smalls: Rachele, Keays, Rankine, Neale-Bullen v Lions Answerth, Zorko, Fletcher, Wilmot.
I am not sure a shootout will get us the win, so defense will be the important part of who gets the 4 premiership points.
The midfield/ruck/wing is always the point of difference in most games be it around the ground in defense or how they deliver to the forwards.
Our midfield is really the best in the competition when on song. However, they have been a little inconsistent as a group this year.
Will just have to wait to see what they produce on Friday evening.
Our forward line has been disrupted structure wise (the forward/ruck) but has done reasonably well considering.
Hopefully Charlie starts playing more consistent footy soon. Most of us have all been saying that for a while.
Good to see Lohmann kick his first of 3 goals for the season and play a solid full game.
Ah-Chee and Rayner are always a handful for opposition defenders.
Morris has been consistent but still a lot to learn as he has just turned 20.
Gardiner stays in as he is a cool experienced head around a 20-year-old and is doing his job in my opinion.
Most likely they use Hippy again in the F/R role but i would like to see Dunkley and/or Gardiner used for CBAs.
In the Hawks game we used 4 players, Hippy, Dunkley, Gardiner & Morris.
We only used 2 against the Bombers. Hippy had 17 ruck contests (5 CBAs) 2 hit outs, 1 to advantage.
Gardiner was the only other player used and had just 1 ruck contest, 1 hit out (100% ha ha), 0 to advantage.
Hippy is playing a team role, but it is hindering his forward craft at present.
Lions goalkickers after 12 rounds.
Hipwood 21, Morris 20 (11 games), Bailey 18, Ah-Chee 18, Cameron 12 (10), Rayner 11.
Note Hippy playing R/F the last 3 games and has scored 2 goals 1 behind.
Selection
The Crows played their best side bar Matt Crouch, and he has a few weeks to go yet.
Lions best 22 missing from the last game were Kiddy & Oscar, with Starcevich and Day unlikely for a few more weeks
I don’t think either team had injuries this round, the injury list comes out Tuesday evening.
Crows may have a minor change but mostly the same players that won by 90 points. Lions maybe the same side too.
Rucks: Just one of Oscar or Fort.
We are better with Oscar but who would know regarding his injury. Could easily be no ruck change again.
Sub: Maybe Will Ashcroft if Fagan wants to give him a mini break before the bye.
That would allow Doedee a best 22 spot. Or Doedee the sub, just to give him a taste of the added pace of AFL footy again.
Kiddy may or may not play i have no idea. Sub could be an option or limited time in the VFL. The club hopefully gets it right.
OUT: Dev & Fort.
IN: Oscar and Doedee.
This really is one of those 8 premiership point games being second v third.
The others this year at that time were Cats, Dogs, Pies (L), Suns & Hawks.
This will be a hard-fought game and i hope more than expect a 3-goal win.
Preview writers needed for Port and rounds 19-24.
Give it a go if you have been thinking of doing it.
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