Preview Geelong. Grand Final. You know when. You know where.

[McIvor]

Has our midfield looked more balanced with Lachie out, spreading the load a little more, Bailey makes a difference in there, Will with more time. If selected I can't see Lachie playing a prime Lachie form game off such an interrupted preparation.

Really liked Bruce Reville's game in the Prelim once Jarrod Berry went off, Marshall was bloody good as well.

If we are going to play Neale, I'd be more inclined to start him as sub like Freo has done with Fyfe or Suns with Swallow and just see how long we can go without using him. If we get an injury, he comes in whenever, if we don't use him tactically hopefully when the game is all sewn up early in the fourth we bring him on and then who cares if it goes, otherwise we bring him on to hopefully change the game if the Cats are on top.

I don't know, I think it would be more uplifting bringing him on in the second half as opposed to the impact it may have on the group if he goes down early and their reaction to it.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Mullin may not be ready when elbows get thrown in his way to release Clug. Our midfield would come in more switched on this time. Mullin is going to have an interesting game as a targeted player getting past other Lions in traffic.

Worth getting reported for and earning a desperately needed extra four to six weeks of pre-season.

 

[mpal6]

Worth getting reported for and earning a desperately needed extra four to six weeks of pre-season.

I'd straight line and deck the 2 taggers at any given opportunity. Atkins seems more ball winning these days so he has an excuse. I'm looking forward to Big O taking one almighty swing and run through all comers lol.

 

[irel]

Neale plays. Champions raise above the ordinary. Yes he has had limited game time but only a week ago old man Danger showed why you don't even think about not going into a GF without Neale.
It's impossible to tag all of Clug, Wash, Lachie, Dunks...
Also, others such as Bailey, Rainer are ready to have a major impact on the game.
I believe.

 

[MSB ROYS]

The same as last year. Struggling to concentrate on working, but I am self-employed and am only ripping myself off.

 

[Mayestro]

I don’t think we can use Neale as the sub- if we then sub someone else off tactically say at the start of the 4th quarter and Neale pings his calf again we’re then down a player.

 

[lionsrules]

Playing sick Lions in a QF who were just a bit off compared to a GF title defending Lions with a point to prove are two entirely different beasts.

Who was unwell again ? I can’t remember

 

[M Malice]

The same as last year. Struggling to concentrate on working, but I am self-employed and am only ripping myself off.

All good, no judgement here, we're all friends.

 

[McIvor]

I don’t think we can use Neale as the sub- if we then sub someone else off tactically say at the start of the 4th quarter and Neale pings his calf again we’re then down a player.

But in the instance, you'd hold him back for as long as possible, even with 7-8 minutes to go like we did with McKenna in the GF last year. If he pings it then, our rotations are pretty much fine anyway.

I just worry about the psychological impact him doing it early like Pendlebury did or even anytime before half time that it would have on the group.

 

[MSB ROYS]

All good, no judgement here, we're all friends.

Isn't this what retirees do most days?

 

[Bucking Beads]

I trust the club on whatever decision they make on Lachie Neale

9

Lachie Neale

Age

32

Ht

177cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

15.5

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.7

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

28.3

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

14.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

and Jarrod Berry

7

Jarrod Berry

Age

27

Ht

193cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.4

4star

K

8.5

3star

HB

8.9

5star

M

3.9

4star

T

4.2

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

17.0

4star

K

9.4

4star

HB

7.6

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

5.1

5star

CL

2.9

4star

D

10.6

3star

K

4.4

2star

HB

6.2

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.8

3star

.

 

[M Malice]

Isn't this what retirees do most days?

Not while on Big Footy Roy.

#pornhub

 

[M Malice]

I trust the club on whatever decision they make on Lachie Neale and Jarrod Berry.

Now that is a strange take on here BB.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Now that is a strange take on here BB.

We've all had our doubts about things. Regardless of the decision they make I trust they have gone through the correct process.

 

[morsie]

Who was unwell again ? I can’t remember

Rayner

 

[mighty_lions]

Rayner

it was rayner who was sick during the week just gone, Will was the one sick QF

 

[GOTHELIONS16]

If Neale and Berry both put their hands up and say they’re good to play both get picked for me.

If Berry can put his left hand up, right hand wouldn’t tell us much.

 

[Nunez]

it was rayner who was sick during the week just gone, Will was the one sick QF

We had several sick guys week 1.

 

[Full Wingspan]

If I was Fagan, I would be urging the players to watch Rocky III. For those familiar with the franchise, there are some striking similarities:

• The 2023 GF was our Rocky I — we went toe-to-toe with the Pies, gave it everything, and though we fell short, we earned respect across the footy world.
• 2024 became our Rocky II — we came back stronger and claimed the flag, reaching the pinnacle after years in the wilderness.
• The 2025 QF has parallels with the first fight in Rocky III — we underestimated our ruthless opponent who had been dismissed for not beating anyone of note, which led to a crushing knockout blow, bringing us back down to reality and questioning our own ability
• The 2025 GF will be our revenge against Clubber Lang the Cats, where we rediscover our hunger, reclaim our identity and most importantly, our rightful title as the champs.

It's the eye of the Tiger Lion.

 

[MacMum]

Can't believe I'm saying this but I feel very reluctant about playing Lachie, even if he's fit.

My feelings are don't muck around with the team that got us there.

I'm actually amazed at how strongly I feel about it. 99% of time I'm in the "trust the coaches" camp but for some reason
I just instinctively feel he shouldn't play....don't change a thing.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Can't believe I'm saying this but I feel very reluctant about playing Lachie, even if he's fit.

My feelings are don't muck around with the team that got us there.

I'm actually amazed at how strongly I feel about it. 99% of time I'm in the "trust the coaches" camp but for some reason
I just instinctively feel he shouldn't play....don't change a thing.

Ditto.

Bad vibes from the whole thing.

Not going to lie, if he retweaked the calf today I'd feel a sense of relief that the whole possibility is out of the equation.

 

[Darren Downunder]

Can't believe I'm saying this but I feel very reluctant about playing Lachie, even if he's fit.

My feelings are don't muck around with the team that got us there.

I'm actually amazed at how strongly I feel about it. 99% of time I'm in the "trust the coaches" camp but for some reason
I just instinctively feel he shouldn't play....don't change a thing.

I agree with you, MM
But if by sone voodoo magic I had to make the decision
And Fages called me to say
the club medicos and the match committee are recommending that both Lachie and Jarrod play.
Despite my doubts, I’d back the professionals to know more than me.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Would be interesting to do an exercise on success vs failure of taking injured players into Grand Finals. Reckon it would be about 50/50 hit or miss. We did well with Lappin and Voss in 03, but Lynch and Brown in 04 were shockers.

 

[GOTHELIONS16]

We had several sick guys week 1.

I am adamant Ryan Lester was another one. Explained why he was so off against Jezza.

 

[EightyNineChamps]

Pardon the intrusion. Hoping like hell you guys can rid us of the Cotton On Cats!

First and foremost don't play anyone who are under an injury cloud! (Hoping Neale will be good to go)

Secondly, When they apply the close checking illegal tags, your guys had better make the green cheats aware from the get go! Throw the arms around and amplify the hanging on and blocking. We didn't against them but did against the Crows and it make a difference.

Lastly, get someone to run with Holmes (hates close attention), if Danger goes to the middle get someone to crunch into him and stick tackles on him (easy to say I know).

Best of Luck! Do it for everyone!