Preview Round 7: Brisbane Lions v Adelaide Crows Sunday 26 April 2026 3:15 PM

[Nathan Barley]

Hope the players watched the Sydney match tonight. How to hassle and pressure, overlap and run.

Yeah what would the reigning back to back premiers know without watching the Swans do it

 

[Clarkythelion]

What's going on with Tom Doedee? I thought he'd be able to fight his way into the team by now.

Extremely talented and great character, would like to see him do well.

His first instance decision making is there and each comeback he has tried that shows up. His disposal is also good and a bit like an old gun fighter you can see he has/had some skills. He just seems a bit off the pace, not making enough contested and not offering the running style Backman the game plan relies on. Like others have said, he probably needs a block of games now to build confidence in his body (Fagan has talked about this in some of his pre/early season press conferences). He does show poise and leadership, just needs to get a jet pack on for now.

 

[3KZ is Football]

I hate to admit it but at times we are loaded with players with either no or poor defensive mindset. Ashcroft x 2, Bailey, Rayner, McCarthy, Coleman - somehow they have jets when the ball heads towards goal but a jog is enough the other way. Worse, the half hearted tackle attempts are cringe worthy. And when these guys are poor we look sick.

100% agree. We are all seeing it. Fletcher was caught out in some terrible vision against Collingwood, jogging towards defensive contests. Going the other way, he’s sprinting down the field trying to get ahead of the ball and get on the end of it for a shot at goal.

 

[3KZ is Football]

Yeah what would the reigning back to back premiers know without watching the Swans do it

Hubris. You are only as good as your last game in this business.

 

[Grasshopper17]

Hubris. You are only as good as your last game in this business.

Hubris, you reckon?

Post in thread 'Changes / discussion - Dees Round 6'

Apr 13, 2026

We have, without a shadow of doubt, the best Recruiting Manager in the AFL in Steve Conole. It is amazing to think that having won ‘back to back’ Premierships, we were able to add Oscar Allen

4

Oscar Allen

Age

27

Ht

196cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.8

2star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.1

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.6

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

2.8

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.0

4star

G

1.2

4star

and Sam Draper to our list. Already they have made a massive impact to our team in terms of on field flexibility and capacity. Rather than tapering off after three Grand Finals in a row and two Premierships, we actually look significantly stronger this year. Credit also has to go to Chris Fagan and the players, because the culture that has been developed at Brisbane is second to none. I have...

• 3KZ is Football

• 
• 

 

[3KZ is Football]

Yep. Recognising achievement is healthy and promotes a culture of gratitude and continual improvement. Suggesting we have nothing to learn from a highly successful opponent is hubris.

Jason had nothing to learn from Medea and Creon had nothing to learn from Tiresius and look what happened to them!

We don’t want to upset the Footy Gods!



Brisbane can learn plenty by watching how a highly successful opponent is going about their business.

Thanks for reading my past posts Grasshopper17

Have a great day.

 

[Nunez]

I'm convinced 3KZ should take over from Fagan. Long may he reign!

 

[carry on]

View attachment 2588564
Its the reigning premiers against the reigning minor premiers. A genuine 8 point game with both sides posting 3 wins and 3 losses. Both sides trying to stay in touch with the top teams and stay in finals contention. This should be another absolute battle of a match. So in classic AFL fashion its booked for a Sunday afternoon.

Recent History
Adelaide has been one of our toughest matchups over the last 3 years or so. Captain Dawson has led from the front and we have had few answers to him.

• Round 13 last year the Crows run us down in a thriller by 3 points. They kicked 5 unanswered goals while we kicked 8 behinds in the last quarter. Dawson, Rachelle and Keays doing the damage.
• Community Series 2025 (the first game of the year) we again lost by 3 points at home. Dawson was superb again with the go ahead goal while Starc was knocked out after being pushed by Curtin into Pedler. Missing Andrews Fogerty was the main threat with 3 goals.
• Round 17 2024 was the last time we beat the Crows on the back of a big game by Neale with 3 goals. Keays again had a massive game with 4 goals. While Starc was again knocked out by Rankine (Im starting to fear another concussion writing this).

Crows form
The crows have been patchy this year. Barely scrapping past St Kilda by 1 last week carried by a big game by Tex. Running all over the Blues in the wet at gather round (the smalls ran riot with multiple goals to Rachelle, Keays and Rankine) and dropping a game against Freo by 2 points in another thriller.

Fogerty has been missing for a few weeks but the forward line has been held together by the never ageing Tex and a fleet of smalls that post real danger to us. Milera has returned to excellent form off half back and wouldnt be far off AA squad. Dawson remains their talisman in the midfield and is absolute someone who has carved us up again and again. He missed last week in absolute tragic conditions and our thoughts would absolutely be with his family.

Lions form
This year has been a tough start (again). We have been losing players all over the place and seem to have little continuity. Our backline has been chopped and changed so many times and that wont end with losing Answerth to another concussion. As well our wings have been hit hard this week with Berry and potentially Reville going down this week. I also have suspicions that a few players were unwell on the weekend after Fort was a late out and several others looked lethargic.

Despite that we still almost stole the game from the fast Demons (with some helpful home town umpiring right in front of my seats in the pocket)
View attachment 2588600

Changes

• ZZ out for Fort - I think this is probably the most likely option. ZZ has looked decent on field and was potentially underused against Melbourne, but Fort is the better option in a must win game. Draper is in form and we could try and run solo (with Gallop moving to forward/ruck and Joyce to the back line) but I see this as unlikely.
• Answerth out for Brain - Our small back positions have been a problem and this is a really untimely injury again for Answerth. I think Brain is the next in for the back line and can do a shut down role. It does worry me as Rachelle is in great form, while Keays and Rankine are dangerous threats. I do wonder if someone like Beecken could be an option.
• Berry out for Marshall - The Forgetting Sam Marshall thread has outlined that he has been a slightly controversial absence from the seniors after the premiership last year. Its massive shoes to fill as I actually think Berry has been one of our more vital structural players over the last 18 months. His defensive running on the wing has been vital while our other wings are often much more front running.
• Reville out for ??? - Its unclear if Bruce is a bit banged up and also needs a break. But the depth chart gets interesting here. Tunstill has been the last man in for a few roles while Torrent sounds like he has had a monster game in the VFL. McKenna also played well and could shuffle some mids like Bailey around.

Result
This is an absolute must win game against a team we should be absolutely fired up for. I think we come out breathing fire against a bogey team and show how we are a real threat. Andrews to shut down Thilthorpe while Lester and Gollop shut down the veteran Tex. Dunkley needs a big game against Dawson and pressure across the whole ground.

Lions by 22

I agree totally re comments about Berry. He is often helping out the backline and whilst not the fastest winger around, rarely gets beaten and can also play a tagging type role. Is a very important structural player.

 

[mpal6]

Adelaide will run hard defensively. There'll be lot of half tackles, grabbing, holds etc in the middle. Need the rucks to get first possession and drive it forward. If the mids put up any half hearted effort we'll get touched up quickly.

While I want to put games into Gallop, I feel we are getting to a point where we need to strengthen the defense a bit more compared to what we have. I'd rather go Andrews/Joyce/Lester for a few rounds to be honest.

 

[3KZ is Football]

His first instance decision making is there and each comeback he has tried that shows up. His disposal is also good and a bit like an old gun fighter you can see he has/had some skills. He just seems a bit off the pace, not making enough contested and not offering the running style Backman the game plan relies on. Like others have said, he probably needs a block of games now to build confidence in his body (Fagan has talked about this in some of his pre/early season press conferences). He does show poise and leadership, just needs to get a jet pack on for now.

When Lester retires, Doedee might get his chance. Until then there’s no place for him to fill.

 

[3KZ is Football]

I'm convinced 3KZ should take over from Fagan. Long may he reign!

My pressers would be better than most.

 

[M Malice]

I'm convinced 3KZ should take over from Fagan. Long may he reign!

It is my understanding that 3KZs son has a part time coaching gig at the Pies teaching Dan McStay how to kick it between the big sticks.... could be seen as a conflict of interest.

 

[Elixuh]

I'm convinced 3KZ should take over from Fagan. Long may he reign!

3kz for mod

 

[SizeMatters]

Pls win lions.

I say persist with Gallop. Imo he has been improving every game. I’d prefer to cop the downside at this stage to reap the rewards of his development.

It’s a hard one though because if he has to play a few games in the VFL in defence that isn’t so terrible either.

Gallop obviously out his depth and gets lost a lot down back/leaks goals. But he does give huge efforts. Hopefully he drops back once others are fit as I think he could be that Gardiner/Lester replacement we lack on our list. Needs more exposure and a VFL bloc could do him wonders.

I don’t see it with him up forward. Down back he looks like he has higher potential and obviously is a better list fit beyond this year.

 

[SizeMatters]

Last few years have been insanely close. Probably the closest battle between any two teams in the history of the sport. Since 2023 I think the total score margin between the two teams is almost breakeven. We’ve had a draw and three or so results by less than a goal.

Expect a close one again.

 

[twhowler]

Anyone else feeling like Sunday is a huge fork in the road for us?

4 losses already would make it very hard for top 4. And 2 losses in a row when we are very strong favourities would buck the trend last year in which every bad loss was followed by a big win. Added to that Fages looked very steely earlier this week. You feel it has been put on the group. I don't get any comfort from 2024 - that was the best flag i will ever witness. not a template. We have a VERY tough 4 weeks looming with Geelong (Gabba) Giants (Away) Freo (Gabba) Suns (away) in a row. We have go get well ahead of the win loss ledger.

A win sunday and we would be almost certain to get to 6-3 before that patch, rather than 5-4.

Dawson back is a fascination. Apart from anything else i just hope he plays well and the family sees him kick a goal or two and look to the skies. It won't fix anything but might just give them a moment for a smile amongst the tear.

As for what it does for the crows - it might make them run through brick walls. Or be really hard to deal with. I hope the lions get around Dawson, all shake his hand before and after, and then play really well and win. If that all makes sense haha.

 

[StevoJenkins]

Anyone else feeling like Sunday is a huge fork in the road for us?

4 losses already would make it very hard for top 4. And 2 losses in a row when we are very strong favourities would buck the trend last year in which every bad loss was followed by a big win. Added to that Fages looked very steely earlier this week. You feel it has been put on the group. I don't get any comfort from 2024 - that was the best flag i will ever witness. not a template. We have a VERY tough 4 weeks looming with Geelong (Gabba) Giants (Away) Freo (Gabba) Suns (away) in a row. We have go get well ahead of the win loss ledger.

I think wildcard finals will cheapen top 4. The extra game in the legs helped us out in 2024/2025 and arguably gave us a leg up on the oppo come the granny.

Give the legs another game before that and I think we may see sides from WCR go higher than expected.

 

[mpal6]

Anyone else feeling like Sunday is a huge fork in the road for us?

4 losses already would make it very hard for top 4. And 2 losses in a row when we are very strong favourities would buck the trend last year in which every bad loss was followed by a big win. Added to that Fages looked very steely earlier this week. You feel it has been put on the group. I don't get any comfort from 2024 - that was the best flag i will ever witness. not a template. We have a VERY tough 4 weeks looming with Geelong (Gabba) Giants (Away) Freo (Gabba) Suns (away) in a row. We have go get well ahead of the win loss ledger.

A win sunday and we would be almost certain to get to 6-3 before that patch, rather than 5-4.

Dawson back is a fascination. Apart from anything else i just hope he plays well and the family sees him kick a goal or two and look to the skies. It won't fix anything but might just give them a moment for a smile amongst the tear.

As for what it does for the crows - it might make them run through brick walls. Or be really hard to deal with. I hope the lions get around Dawson, all shake his hand before and after, and then play really well and win. If that all makes sense haha.

2024 was a weird year to be honest. There was a phase when we had a big form surge in the second half of season and there were particular games that we scraped through to get there. Round 17 (Demons 5 points), Round 18 (Adelaide 11 points), Round 19 was to Perth and still labored to beat West Coast by 13 points and Round 20 (Sydney 2 points). That surge helped buffer us from losses in last few rounds and other clubs like Fremantle dropped like a rock helping our cause as well. Lot of things went our way that year and totally agree it can't be used as a template.

I think Rayner also had the best phase of his career during this window and was rated something like a top 3 player in comp based on game rating or something.

 

[3KZ is Football]

It is my understanding that 3KZs son has a part time coaching gig at the Pies teaching Dan McStay how to kick it between the big sticks.... could be seen as a conflict of interest.

Sorry M Malice, I should have given you an update, but he’s decided on Basketball and Tennis. He won the B&F in his last season of football and was in his league’s elite training squad and then announced he wants to focus on Basketball and Tennis. Mrs.3KZ was happy. I had a feeling she wasn’t comfortable with football, it must have been all the articles she kept sending me about CTE.

Anyway, I transported my coaching skills to his Basketball team. We won the Grand Final last month undefeated in the regular season and with a 16-1 win/loss record, the one loss coming in a grading round. 3KZ Junior was the highest scorer in the competition with 124 points for the season and our team also had the second and third highest individual points tally with 117 and 109 respectively.

Winter competition starts next in a little over a week and I’m coaching again. Looks like Fagan’s job is safe, but Brian Goorjian is said to be feeling the heat.

McStay was a lost cause anyway.

 

[twhowler]

I think wildcard finals will cheapen top 4. The extra game in the legs helped us out in 2024/2025 and arguably gave us a leg up on the oppo come the granny.

Give the legs another game before that and I think we may see sides from WCR go higher than expected.

I think WCR makes 5 and 6 closer to top 4. You get an opponent that has had zero break. I think there could be more blowouts as a result. So EG the lions get a week off, then host Melbourne at the gabba. They could be running on empty. we get a very easy game and roll on through the finals. Basically like 2024 haha

 

[M Malice]

Sorry M Malice, I should have given you an update, but he’s decided on Basketball and Tennis. He won the B&F in his last season of football and was in his league’s elite training squad and then announced he wants to focus on Basketball and Tennis. Mrs.3KZ was happy. I had a feeling she wasn’t comfortable with football, it must have been all the articles she kept sending me about CTE.

Anyway, I transported my coaching skills to his Basketball team. We won the Grand Final last month undefeated in the regular season and with a 16-1 win/loss record, the one loss coming in a grading round. 3KZ Junior was the highest scorer in the competition with 124 points for the season and our team also had the second and third highest individual points tally with 117 and 109 respectively.

Winter competition starts next in a little over a week and I’m coaching again. Looks like Fagan’s job is safe, but Brian Goorjian is said to be feeling the heat.

McStay was a lost cause anyway.

Great stuff, I watch my grandson play Basketball regularly, he's in an adult competition(shows how old I am), not a fan of Basketball/NBA at all but I do really enjoy watching him play, he plays all year round, they won their Grand Final a couple of weeks ago, their new season starts next week I think.

Keep up those elite coaching skills of yours 3KZ, are you coaching tennis as well?

 

[3KZ is Football]

Great stuff, I watch my grandson play Basketball regularly, he's in an adult competition(shows how old I am), not a fan of Basketball/NBA at all but I do really enjoy watching him play, he plays all year round, they won their Grand Final a couple of weeks ago, their new season starts next week I think.

Keep up those elite coaching skills of yours 3KZ, are you coaching tennis as well?

Team manager in the tennis. He has a coach who is an absolute GUN, so I just sit back and do the logistics. The coach is a “New Chum” who was an Olympic Coach for his national team prior to migrating to Australia and was on the Board of his National Tennis Federation.

Great guy. Hard as nails, but generous and sensible. 3KZ Junior is rapt with him.

 

[morsie]

Hope the players watched the Sydney match tonight. How to hassle and pressure, overlap and run.

Maybe they could watch the last two grand finals

 

[Perrip]

Tunstill, McKenna & Fort in for Bez, Noz, & ZZ

 

[Nathan Barley]

No Brain at selection this week