Is this one of the greatest grand final performances of the AFL era? Can Brisbane be stopped in 2026?

[JHF1870]

If Freo unpack their full potential I think they could match them.

GC are still building and I think Saints need more work.

Not sure who else can match them. I think Adelaide are frauds. Forward line was dominant early until the system unravelled, their draw will be much harder next season. I think their midfield is sub par. Dawson, Soligo, then B graders.

 

[go_the_dockers]

If Freo unpack their full potential I think they could match them.

GC are still building and I think Saints need more work.

Not sure who else can match them. I think Adelaide are frauds. Forward line was dominant early until the system unravelled, their draw will be much harder next season. I think their midfield is sub par. Dawson, Soligo, then B graders.

Our midfield is shallow.
Our forward depth is poor.
Need 2 or 3 players to take a leap to match them.

 

[Obeanie1]

The 2025 Brisbane Premiership side is older than the 2018 West Coast Premier side.

Did the 2018 Eagles premiership side rebuild their midfield for the next 10 years with multiple top 5 picks while contending?

No they didnt.

 

[Viceregal]

Just like the side that won three flags with a COLA allowance opposition sides didnt have.

Those are the facts and the truth of the matter.

You mean the retention/location allowance that was available to every club that had less than 40% of local players on their list ...

Or the Father Sun rules that every club had access to?

Perhaps you need research your facts and consider that your feelings, assumptions, and opinions do not constitute 'truth'

 

[Toump Ass]

How long have f/s rules been in place?

Since 1949, but there has been ten amendments to the rule, not including the next changes which will prohibit clubs from doing what Brisbane did and package up junk picks in the 40s to land players in the top 5 of the draft.

Current points system has been around since 2015, so Hawkins Viney etc. were before that.

Yes Brisbane got lucky but it's not an "AFL gift".

Charlie Cameron was traded in with a priority pick, that was a gift. Academy players are gifts.

They've obviously done a lot right but they've had a leg up and the bullshit father-son system has been huge.

 

[Chief]

The minority who tipped Brisbane (I can't say I was that bold, though I started believing they'd win around half time) only tipped a close win. Almost nobody could have predicted a scoreline that was eerily close to 2024.

I think my tip was Lions by 24 - didn't tip a Cats collapse.

 

[north_lad]

I think Adelaide are frauds.

I'm shocked

 

[Romeoh1]

Brissy are very good and are set to continue playing a major role, but of course everyone is beatable. They will be very keen to get the three peat, and I know my team will be out to try and stop them!

 

[Obeanie1]

You mean the retention/location allowance that was available to every club that had less than 40% of local players on their list ...

Or the Father Sun rules that every club had access to?

Perhaps you need research your facts and consider that your feelings, assumptions, and opinions do not constitute 'truth'

Dont care what BS rule the AFL made up to bank roll the Lions three peat.

They changed the rule once the Lions made their 4th grand final in a row. Thats a ract.

When the cash was stopped the flags stopped. Fact.

Smoke and mirrors doesnt change that fact.

One of the main reasons new clubs get academies is they have no father sons coming through, fair enough.

Lions just rebuilt their midfield with elite talent whilst playing in grand finals with father sons. But also keep academy access as well. Double dipping?

The AFL are focused on money and thats all. As long as the TV rights deal keeps getting bigger they all get their bonuses and equalisation of the comp is not a factor until clubs revolt.

 

[JHF1870]

Dont care what BS rule the AFL made up to bank roll the Lions three peat.

They changed the rule once the Lions made their 4th grand final in a row. Thats a ract.

When the cash was stopped the flags stopped. Fact.

Smoke and mirrors doesnt change that fact.

One of the main reasons new clubs get academies is they have no father sons coming through, fair enough.

Lions just rebuilt their midfield with elite talent whilst playing in grand finals with father sons. But also keep academy access as well. Double dipping?

The AFL are focused on money and thats all. As long as the TV rights deal keeps getting bigger they all get their bonuses and equalisation of the comp is not a factor until clubs revolt.

LOl salty much

Harris Andrews played so that was a huge advantage
Both Ashcrofts are still young., fletcher is young

Aliir overlooked, Keays mid tier
Hipwood didnt play.

The bulk of their team was recruited fairly with some help.from ladder position.

 

[JHF1870]

I'm shocked

fActs

 

[demondavey]

The one thing that may prevent Brisbane from becoming an all time team, if they aren't already, is the lack of a big, reliable marking and set shot goal kicking key forward.

But that is quibbling, Lions could easily win 3 in a row even with patchy accuracy and the mosquito fleet + young key target.

A bloke called Oscar Allen might help

 

[CarterS]

Earlier this season a few in the media including Adam Simpson called Bris' 25 draw the most difficult of all time. From Round 13 through to the end of the season they played every finalist, I think Geelong played 2.

11 interstate games for 9 wins and a draw in the H&A.

Wins over the Hawks (MCG), Geelong (GMHBA Stadium), Collingwood (MCG) and Fremantle (Optus Stadium) all came following losses. In every one of those games they started underdogs.

From middle of last season onwards they are 18-1-3 in interstate games. Very impressive effort.

Backs to the wall and continually responded.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

The 2025 Brisbane Premiership side is older than the 2018 West Coast Premier side.

Just a case of Zorko/Lester/Fort/Neale really distorting that age with Zorko being 37 and Lester 33.

Neale aside the other 3 are easily replaced

 

[PenfoldsFan]

You do realise that both Ashcroft brothers played Junior football in Victoria

Lol, Will left QLD as a 14yo and played 2 seasons in Victoria.
When Covid kicked off he went back to QLD and played whilst Vic juniors were under house arrest.
Levi did the same.
How many Vic 16/17yo's do you think had that go to opportunity?

The Ashcroft boys are an exception in a few ways, genes, natural ability, connections.