- Oct 1, 2011
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- THE GREATEST TEAM OF ALL
These two clubs are at the centre of a budding rivalry, and if the preliminary final last year is any guide, this should be a classic.
The Lions charged home past the Cats last September on their way to a first premiership since 2003 and Friday night's clash marks the fourth final between the clubs in the past six seasons.
Brisbane has beaten Geelong twice this year and, with its MCG hoodoo well and truly behind it, has won its past five games at the famous ground.
And Brisbane is boosted by the returns of Lachie Neale and Jarrod Berry, who replace omitted pair Bruce Reville and James Tunstill, while the Cats have been dealt a blow with ruck Rhys Stanley injured. Jed Bews and Mitch Knevitt have been dropped with Shannon Neale, Mark O'Connor and Jhye Clark returning.
After their stirring preliminary final win over the Cats last year, the Lions did the double over Geelong in 2025 in two contrasting affairs. Brisbane came from 32 points down at a wet Gabba in round three, with All-Australian Hugh McCluggage (30 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances) playing a key role. Brisbane's win in Geelong in June was ominous as it spoiled Patrick Dangerfield's 350th game, and won at GMHBA Stadium for the first time since 2003 to end another hoodoo. Young gun Logan Morris kicked five goals, while Coleman Medal winner Jeremy Cameron booted four for the Cats, whose inaccuracy also proved costly.
The Cats struck it lucky with their fixture in 2025 and just whether their easy run home is a positive or a negative remains to be seen, but they are riding a six-game winning streak. Since 2000, Geelong is just the second team to head into a finals series having played six games in a row against bottom-10 opponents.
Brisbane
Led by co-captain Harris Andrews, the Lions thrive on intercepts. Andrews is ranked No.4 in the League for total intercept possessions in 2025, but Darcy Wilmot (No.21), Jaspa Fletcher (No.24) and Dayne Zorko (No.34) are also in the top 40. Brisbane is unbeaten when it has outscored its opponents from intercepts this year, winning 15 times and drawing once. It is 1-5 in the six games it has been outscored from that source.
The Lions charged home past the Cats last September on their way to a first premiership since 2003 and Friday night's clash marks the fourth final between the clubs in the past six seasons.
Brisbane has beaten Geelong twice this year and, with its MCG hoodoo well and truly behind it, has won its past five games at the famous ground.
And Brisbane is boosted by the returns of Lachie Neale and Jarrod Berry, who replace omitted pair Bruce Reville and James Tunstill, while the Cats have been dealt a blow with ruck Rhys Stanley injured. Jed Bews and Mitch Knevitt have been dropped with Shannon Neale, Mark O'Connor and Jhye Clark returning.
After their stirring preliminary final win over the Cats last year, the Lions did the double over Geelong in 2025 in two contrasting affairs. Brisbane came from 32 points down at a wet Gabba in round three, with All-Australian Hugh McCluggage (30 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances) playing a key role. Brisbane's win in Geelong in June was ominous as it spoiled Patrick Dangerfield's 350th game, and won at GMHBA Stadium for the first time since 2003 to end another hoodoo. Young gun Logan Morris kicked five goals, while Coleman Medal winner Jeremy Cameron booted four for the Cats, whose inaccuracy also proved costly.
THE STATS THAT MATTER
GeelongThe Cats struck it lucky with their fixture in 2025 and just whether their easy run home is a positive or a negative remains to be seen, but they are riding a six-game winning streak. Since 2000, Geelong is just the second team to head into a finals series having played six games in a row against bottom-10 opponents.
Brisbane
Led by co-captain Harris Andrews, the Lions thrive on intercepts. Andrews is ranked No.4 in the League for total intercept possessions in 2025, but Darcy Wilmot (No.21), Jaspa Fletcher (No.24) and Dayne Zorko (No.34) are also in the top 40. Brisbane is unbeaten when it has outscored its opponents from intercepts this year, winning 15 times and drawing once. It is 1-5 in the six games it has been outscored from that source.
PREDICTION
This should be an absolutely enthralling contest between two modern-day heavyweights. The Cats will need big games from Holmes, Smith and Jeremy Cameron, but it's Brisbane's midfield depth that could give it the edge in this clash, with Hugh McCluggage, Will Ashcroft, Josh Dunkley and the returning Neale, plus the game-breaking ability of Zac Bailey and Cam Rayner. CATS by 106 points.
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