Opinion is the race for the Flag in 26 Already Over

[Optimistic Dog]

I think everyone else are playing for runners up. The lions are so much better than anyone else they would need to have shocking run with injuries to not win it again. I look at my team the dogs who have a reasonable list but it is a long way behind the lions for skill and depth.

 

[Headless]

I think everyone else are playing for runners up. The lions are so much better than anyone else than they would need have shocking run with injuries to not win it again. I look my team the dogs who have a reasonable list but it is a long way behind the lions for skill and depth.

Yes, it is, Dog.

 

[Elixuh]

That’s not very optimistic, dog.

IMO the lions are underdogs. Just in general.

 

[TheGhostOfJohnBelushi]

Change your fk'n username

 

[Mr Meow]

They'll need to have an off day in a knockout final. That seems unlikely after playing 7 great knockout finals in a row, but it can easily happen.

The bigger question is who can step up when it matters? Geelong were great for 2 games but fizzled out on GF day. Likewise Hawthorn for 2 games headed into their prelim, and Collingwood for 1 headed into theirs.

Who can sustain it for 3 or 4 games in a row, beating Brisbane in a PF or GF as part of it? Other contenders are Adelaide learning how to play finals, the flakey Dockers under Longmuir, and Sydney bouncing back until GF day. Bevo is due for one of those legendary runs from 5th to 8th so maybe the Dogs?

Unconvincing opposition is the biggest barrier to the Lions being toppled.

 

[Viceregal]

Even though I disagree with the OP and it only takes one down game at the pointy end to blow the whole thing this seems like a good place to post this song ...

 

[fnerd]

100% it is

A team JUST CANNOT have its arse wiped by the AFLs silver cloth to the extent Brisbane's has(well maybe GC as well) and not win it in a canter this year.
Never ever seen a a current premier gifted such concessions year upon year - well maybe the last Brisbane 3 peat teams(no salary cap)

Would take a miracle for another side to win this year.
Mind you if it is yo occur it would in my mind be the biggest upset in AFL grand final history- the 08 cats v hawks would pale into insignificance

 

[bradfisher14]

If it's Brisbane vs the field, I'm taking the field. But having said that, someone would need to come from the clouds to knock them off. Swans, Dockers, Hawks, Dogs, Suns, and Crows have the talent to beat them on the day, but I'd still have them as underdogs in a match-up with the Lions.

 

[Cdog71]

They are the most stacked team I think, but I’ve thought that for the last 4 yrs.
They haven’t been the best team of the H/A in all that time.
Be interesting to see how they go this year with the Neale stuff.

 

[Clark G]

People said the same thing about Essendon in 2001. Geelong in 2008, Collingwood in 2011 and Richmond in 2018 were all supposedly certainties to win in those seasons mentioned but did not. Calling the season over before a game has even been played is silly.

 

[BigVic]

The GF is 7 months away and it's not over 'til its over. It's only March and not September

Pies in 2011 were firing on all cylinders in the premiership season but we lost the game which mattered most.

 

[raskolnikov]

All-Queensland Grand Final.

 

[Xtreme]

The Lions are in free fall

They will not go back to back to back
Take it to the bank
Game, Set and Match

 

[Dazb86]

Im tipping North

 

[Lavender Bushranger]

People said the same thing about Essendon in 2001. Geelong in 2008, Collingwood in 2011 and Richmond in 2018 were all supposedly certainties to win in those seasons mentioned but did not. Calling the season over before a game has even been played is silly.

And Melbourne as long as half way through the 2022 season!

The wheels can fall off very quickly, and very unexpectedly.


Having said that, the gap between Brisbane and the field seems to be expanding. Not shrinking.

 

[PiCkLeJuiCe]

Carlton 100%. Anything less is an epic choke by the Blues.

 

[Count_Zero]

One or two key players go down with injuries (W.Ashcroft in 2023) and they look like they're back in the pack.
Which team has ever had an injury free season?

 

[Clark G]

Im tipping North

For the wooden spoon?

 

[James Colorado]

Did not one here actually pay attention to the pre-season?

The heavy hitters are clear.

I'd bet all of your houses on Carlton v North Melbourne being the GF.

 

[QuietB]

100% it is

A team JUST CANNOT have its arse wiped by the AFLs silver cloth to the extent Brisbane's has(well maybe GC as well) and not win it in a canter this year.
Never ever seen a a current premier gifted such concessions year upon year - well maybe the last Brisbane 3 peat teams(no salary cap)

Would take a miracle for another side to win this year.
Mind you if it is yo occur it would in my mind be the biggest upset in AFL grand final history- the 08 cats v hawks would pale into insignificance

What concessions? List them.

 

[Beer n Skittles]

Yep give the cup to Carlton now

 

[Elixuh]

One or two key players go down with injuries (W.Ashcroft in 2023) and they look like they're back in the pack.
Which team has ever had an injury free season?

The lions have had an unbelievably bad run with injuries to best 23 players the last 2 years and have done ok. In 2024 we were the equal second most injury riddled team and last year we had a host of best 23 out and were playing like 8 guys under 22 (inc 3 guys in their first year).

 

[T2B_]

Optimistic Dog is not very optimistic about the Dogs

 

[timokane]

Bit more of an even field in 2026.
Blend of the old kinds lions cats pies.
Mixed in with the new up and comers and some with that x factor as well.
Bit of a time of transition.
Even up this year.
Be a tight contest in 2026.
Bit more open this time around.

 

[Optimistic Dog]

Optimistic Dog is not very optimistic about the Dogs

Yeah. Call it as you see it. If everything goes right, we may be a top 4 chance, but we are not beating the lions in a final We may be a remote chance on Saturday given we had a 5 week longer break. However, they just look to strong.