Certified Legendary Thread Lions go B2B : Grand Final, 2025 - Geelong vs. Brisbane Lions

[HereIGoAgain]

Even at the Brunswick Street Oval event i sensed the Lions supporters were abit more low key or flat with our noise. I personally think everyone was absoulutely stuffed and didnt have much more left in the tank.

There was a sense of this at Springfield yesterday. Pride but also weariness. It has been a long road with few breaks and not just this season.

We left part way through the autographs and lines were long.

The positives - The sheer amount of kids there even from the start of the AFLW game. If the club gets the kids at five or so chances are they are Lions supporters for life.

The negatives - No way were they getting through all the autographs even with a whole heap of players that didn't play the Grand Final.

Finally the cheering coming from inside club house before the players were introduced was immense and heard from the other end of Michael Voss Oval.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Good summary

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Anyone have access to this article:

https://archive.md/SRfML

 

[Big Sauce 21]

 

[Mayestro]

Gary Ayres Award: Lion's GF masterclass clinches prestigious prize​

NORM Smith medallist Will Ashcroft's amazing September has been capped by adding the Gary Ayres Award to his growing trophy cabinet after being named the best player of the 2025 finals series as voted for by the coaches.

Ashcroft polled 13.5 votes in Saturday's Toyota AFL Grand Final as he was recognised as best on ground in the Brisbane's 47-point win over Geelong.

>> SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE VOTES AND THE LEADERBOARD

The 21-year-old won with a total of 26.5 points from the Lions' four finals games, pipping teammate Harris Andrews on 22.5 and Hawthorn midfielder Jai Newcombe, who managed 18 points from three finals.

Ashcroft held a one-point lead over Andrews going into the Grand Final, before his second Norm Smith-winning performance increased the gap, with Andrews recognised as second-best afield with 10.5 points from the game (Grand Final votes are multiplied by 1.5 times).

"Will's performances in all finals have been a masterclass in composure and skill," former Hawthorn champion Gary Ayres, who the medal is named after, said.

Double trouble: Ashcroft's back-to-back Norm Smith heroics​

Will Ashcroft shines once again on the big stage, claiming his second Norm Smith Medal to cement his place among AFL greats
"His ability to shine under pressure, and once again perform in the Grand Final is remarkable.

"His performances will leave a lasting impact on the AFL finals landscape and he a very worthy winner of this Award. Congratulations Will."

The Gary Ayres Award is presented in recognition of the player who has been adjudged the best through the finals series, as voted by the coaches.

Geelong v Brisbane​

13.5 Will Ashcroft (Brisbane)
10.5 Harris Andrews

31

Harris Andrews

Age

28

Ht

200cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.8

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

151.7

2star

D

17.0

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.0

3star

D

9.8

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.8

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

1.6

4star

MG

94.0

2star

(Brisbane)
7.5 Zac Bailey

33

Zac Bailey

Age

26

Ht

181cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

5.9

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

12.9

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

5.6

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.4

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

13.4

4star

K

6.6

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.6

3star

(Brisbane)
4.5 Jaspa Fletcher (Brisbane)
4.5 Hugh McCluggage

6

Hugh Mccluggage

Age

27

Ht

187cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.3

5star

K

11.4

4star

HB

7.9

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.0

5star

CL

2.2

4star

D

19.0

4star

K

12.0

5star

HB

7.0

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

2.0

4star

D

13.2

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.8

4star

CL

0.6

3star

(Brisbane)
3 Darcy Gardiner

27

Darcy Gardiner

Age

30

Ht

192cm

Wt

91kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.6

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

4.1

4star

T

2.1

4star

G

0.0

1star

D

10.7

3star

K

7.9

3star

HB

2.9

2star

M

3.7

4star

T

2.1

3star

G

0.0

1star

D

10.2

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

4.2

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.8

4star

G

0.0

1star

(Brisbane)
1.5 Charlie Cameron

23

Charlie Cameron

Age

31

Ht

180cm

Wt

76kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.1

3star

K

8.4

3star

HB

3.7

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

G

1.5

5star

D

9.6

2star

K

7.9

3star

HB

1.7

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.7

3star

G

1.9

5star

D

9.6

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

4.2

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.2

4star

(Brisbane)

 

[morsie]

Something that's crossed my mind almost every time someone mentions J Cameron is, that I'm glad it was a collision with a Geelong player.

Of course you don't want injuries for anyone (would have much preferred Dizzy just shut him down the whole game). Imagine if it had've happened with a Lion. They'd be calling whoever it was a flog, calling us cheats, asterisk next to the flag, etc.

I was also really glad to see that we never seemed to try to aggravate it. Ironic considering Danger's own admission they'd put pressure on Lachie's calf.

Given that his head was also belted still trying to work out why no immediate HIA.

 

[morsie]

Glad you're feeling better.

Couldn't agree more with your final paragraph. Ironically, I was talking to a random Lion at the game and we were having a similar conversation and I actually reflected to the person that I am surprised the AFL don't have the equivalent of a FIFA Fair Play (lets call it the AFL Fair Play award) award which I believe the EPL also awards each year to the team that has the fewest yellow / red cards and in the AFL instance least tribunal weeks / fines and I was saying outside of Zac Bailey's act of thuggery against Carlton (jokes) which De Goey somehow escaped the same penalty, we only had one player suspended for a week. Couldn't tell you our overall fines, but you'd struggle finding someone as fair as our team in 25.

On top of that, outside of a few nuffy callers calling SEN today about how can the Lions be stopped with all our advantages and the club being in the soon to be second biggest city in Australia (don't worry Suns were mentioned too with being the 6th biggest) by itself / ourselves and how unfair that is to the 9 team Melbourne clubs; most people from other clubs are generally happy / pleased for the Lions, which they all respect and I think Fages and our leaders are all so likable i.e. Big O, Harris, Charlie etc. (with maybe Zorko the only one that grinds on people - perhaps Cam too with Cats fans).

Glad you're feeling better.

Couldn't agree more with your final paragraph. Ironically, I was talking to a random Lion at the game and we were having a similar conversation and I actually reflected to the person that I am surprised the AFL don't have the equivalent of a FIFA Fair Play (lets call it the AFL Fair Play award) award which I believe the EPL also awards each year to the team that has the fewest yellow / red cards and in the AFL instance least tribunal weeks / fines and I was saying outside of Zac Bailey's act of thuggery against Carlton (jokes) which De Goey somehow escaped the same penalty, we only had one player suspended for a week. Couldn't tell you our overall fines, but you'd struggle finding someone as fair as our team in 25.

On top of that, outside of a few nuffy callers calling SEN today about how can the Lions be stopped with all our advantages and the club being in the soon to be second biggest city in Australia (don't worry Suns were mentioned too with being the 6th biggest) by itself / ourselves and how unfair that is to the 9 team Melbourne clubs; most people from other clubs are generally happy / pleased for the Lions, which they all respect and I think Fages and our leaders are all so likable i.e. Big O, Harris, Charlie etc. (with maybe Zorko the only one that grinds on people - perhaps Cam too with Cats fans).

Don't go to the Geelong board,according to some on there,Fagan is an evil man.

 

[StevoJenkins]

Good summary

Funniest part of this was Hird pointing out to Morris about the sub situation. We were in the same spot as Geelong. Don't know what their issue was.

 

[Mr Ripper]

View attachment 2441105

Will might struggle to grow a moustache on his top lip, but at least he will have Ayres on his chest.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Will might struggle to grow a moustache on his top lip, but at least he will have Ayres on his chest.

You can use that for next year's round one preview thread, ZoBlitz .

 

[Nunez]

Will might struggle to grow a moustache on his top lip, but at least he will have Ayres on his chest.

Elite

 

[John_Proctor]

re: this sub whinge from Scott...

firstly for Brisbane - Neale is probably the best used planned tactical sub ever. I'm sure there will have been some other examples of a player coming on and changing the game but this was a planned and deliberate use of the sub to get the most out of him. brilliant.

secondly for Geelong - what "extra information" where they waiting for on Cameron? he had a broken arm, had had no influence on the game before that and the impact of the Fletcher tackle pushed him over the edge... just sub him out instead of sitting on it for 15 minutes.

Finally... he can complain about that lost rotation for 15 minutes but we were down a rotation from when Starc went off to the end of the game and just got on with using our team as best we could in the circumstances.

Complete case of decision paralysis by the cats heirarchy there.

 

[12Parks]

If anyone can't / doesn't like our Fages, then that's a reflection on them.

Fages is the most likeable bloke going around, he's the AFL's Grand-dad. Not sure how you dislike someone like him.

 

[matwt73]

It’s funny how coming into this game the AFL media had Geelong as certainties and now they have us as certainties for going ‘Back 2 Back 2 Back’
They are a fickle bunch!

Yep but it reminds me of 2001. After 2000 Essendon were all but anointed as a dynasty in the making. We were given little chance, then once we won we were immediately installed as favourites for the following year.

Of course then we were pushed all the way in 2002 by a revved up Pies side, and the narrative was we had been lucky and they went in as favourites the following year.

 

[Gadzorks]

Whirlwind week. Friday after the parade I started getting a sore throat - put it down to too much booze the night before.

Saturday got a little worse but hey it's the GF, I'm up and about! At around half time, I had a high temperature and my throat was feeling much worse. By the end of the game I was cooked and went straight home instead of celebrating (last year's post game celebration was my favourite night out ever for context!). Didn't get any sleep and off to the doctors to get diagnosed with a severe case of bacterial tonsilitis and given antibiotics and Panadol forte.

Absolutely shit way to spend your trip to Melbourne, but my God if I had to decide between not getting sick or getting sick and us winning, it's a no brainer. Today I'm well enough to soak in the numerous grand final analysis videos and loving every minute.

What a special team this is. True belief and unbelievable skill.

How many teams have won a grand final playing three first year players and 8 under 22?

Probably the thing I love the most about this team is the way we go about it. 'Best and fairest' comes to mind. We aren't a dirty team. We aren't arrogant like Hokball, bitter like Geelong or entitled like Collingwood. We simply play for each other and believe in ourselves.

2023 my son had a similar rubbish time.

Was unwell, iut off sorts and wrecked. Got back Monday, straight to the dr. Had covid and had broken his arm on Friday before his flight

2024 made up for it. 2026 will be your year again.

 

[cotter101]

Lachie as sub?

Fluke is Fagan.

Taken me a while to comprehend just how great of a win this was.

We are in a bloody good position to do it again next year as well. If we do it again next year, you’d argue they are better than the 01,02 and 03 side. Which is nuts.

I’ve genuinely learnt to not write this group off. They just find a way.

 

[braddsey]

Even at the Brunswick Street Oval event i sensed the Lions supporters were abit more low key or flat with our noise. I personally think everyone was absoulutely stuffed and didnt have much more left in the tank.

I was stuffed… i had to get up and drive from Northcote to Rosanna to get dad, and back (i live 2km’s from the oval). We arrived after the boys and cup had been presented. Regardless, it was great to stand in the sun and have a chat while the boys were signing a few more autographs.

My throat is still f*cked today from all the singing and cheering on Saturday.

 

[GenericUsername202]

The club will be doing a cup presentation tomorrow at the queens gardens in the CBD

 

[Fluke]

Fluke is Fagan.

Taken me a while to comprehend just how great of a win this was.

We are in a bloody good position to do it again next year as well. If we do it again next year, you’d argue they are better than the 01,02 and 03 side. Which is nuts.

I’ve genuinely learnt to not write this group off. They just find a way.

 

[braddsey]

there'll be no end of home n away season bye potentially, so we have an incentive to finish as high as possible.

If they put in the wildcard round then there’s still a bye for top-6 teams.
Assuming this happens, should we aim to finish 10th and give the boys a whole new challenge for September?

 

[Fluke]

Fluke is Fagan.

Taken me a while to comprehend just how great of a win this was.

We are in a bloody good position to do it again next year as well. If we do it again next year, you’d argue they are better than the 01,02 and 03 side. Which is nuts.

I’ve genuinely learnt to not write this group off. They just find a way.

I'd more or less forgotten about this post, but looking back, it really was only you and I entertaining the idea at the time huh?

 

[Fluke]

If they put in the wildcard round then there’s still a bye for top-6 teams.
Assuming this happens, should we aim to finish 10th and give the boys a whole new challenge for September?

You just reminded me, there were some saying we would be better off missing the 8 this year and having a longer off-season!

 

[Sproj]

I just realised not only was it Dangerfield who took out Cameron, it was Smith who shanked a kick that led to the collision. Oof

 

[Vdubs]

Premier, Norm Smith Medal and first goal: 38 Fox Footy pundits deliver ultimate GF Crystal Ball

Premier, Norm Smith and first goal: 38 Fox Footy pundits’ ultimate AFL GF Crystal Ball

www.foxsports.com.au

38 tippers at Fox, 26 tipped Cats, 12 Lions

Lions Tippers:

Dylan Bolch
Jonathan Brown
Alastair Lynch
Shaun Burgoyne
Ben Dixon
Sarah Jones
Jack Jovanovski
Jordan Lewis
Mark Ricciuto
Jack Riewoldt
Kelli Underwood

Fair enough- I was referring to the pregame analysis with Lethal, Jon Brown, Lewis, all Lions , and Buckley. Cats.

 

[cotter101]

I'd more or less forgotten about this post, but looking back, it really was only you and I entertaining the idea at the time huh?

We’re just that good.

In all seriousness though, for mine - Neale as sub was the only way. As Fagan said, one game in 50 odd days and they boys done well without him against the Suns and Pies.