Unofficial Preview Qualifying Final 2025 v Cats @MCG.

[Darren Downunder]

There's a lot of interesting analysis about this game on the Cats board, it seems they're mostly concerned about our mids, Andrews, and Zorko. Three players they haven't mentioned at all are Lohmann, Wilmot, and Ah Chee - which suits me fine .

I think that’s pretty reasonable from them.
We’ve got the best midfield in the league and that’s where we’ll beat them.
Their forwards are very good as is our defence.
I think our forwards are weak (compared to our mids and defense)
It’s going to be a very interesting game

 

[Bucking Beads]

Our Midfield has to stand up and win this. Forward half pressure and midfield dominance is where we win games. We can usually tell early if our pressure is up to standard as well. Should be a cracking game.

 

[M Malice]

This time tomorrow we'll just about be landing at Tullamarine, getting excited, it will be hard to top the drama and spectacle of last years Prelim though as this game is while IMO very important re our chances of back2back is not a sudden death clash, whatever happens our next game is at the Gabba.

 

[Dalions]

This time tomorrow we'll just about be landing at Tullamarine, getting excited, it will be hard to top the drama and spectacle of last years Prelim though as this game is while IMO very important re our chances of back2back is not a sudden death clash, whatever happens our next game is at the Gabba.

We could be on a similar time flight?
I would like the team to treat the game as though it is sudden death.
Will be interesting to see how the crowd turns out in comparison to last year.
Similarly, it is the only game in Melbourne this weekend.
So neutrals may want to go for a geezer.

 

[Mr Meow]

There's a lot of interesting analysis about this game on the Cats board, it seems they're mostly concerned about our mids, Andrews, and Zorko. Three players they haven't mentioned at all are Lohmann, Wilmot, and Ah Chee - which suits me fine .

You could list 12 or more Lions players that are a concern. Your list is stacked and it's just that bottom 5 that is having its depth tested through injuries.

I would say we are well aware of Morris, Lohmann and Ah Chee's threat after our recent encounters. Wilmot is at the point where people probably don't underrate him anymore either. But it's rare to lockdown on a few rebounding defenders, so others take precedence. You can't stop them all.

 

[M Malice]

We could be on a similar time flight?
I would like the team to treat the game as though it is sudden death.
Will be interesting to see how the crowd turns out in comparison to last year.
Similarly, it is the only game in Melbourne this weekend.
So neutrals may want to go for a geezer.

My son organises all the logistics, flights, accommodation, restaurant bookings, we are aiming to be at the Airport around 6am, not sure what airline we are with but it is never Jetstar... one too many late delays/cancellations with them.

My son and daughter and my 2 grandsons are coming along, a quick fly in/fly out trip this time, flying back early Saturday morning, need to be back in Brisbane for the grandsons 18th birthday party that night.

 

[Toffee Lion]

We could be on a similar time flight?
I would like the team to treat the game as though it is sudden death.
Will be interesting to see how the crowd turns out in comparison to last year.
Similarly, it is the only game in Melbourne this weekend.
So neutrals may want to go for a geezer.

Had a look on Ticketek and the only seats left available to the public are Level 4 behind the goals up the top from Q31 to Q36.

It's going to be packed.

 

[Dalions]

My son organises all the logistics, flights, accommodation, restaurant bookings, we are aiming to be at the Airport around 6am, not sure what airline we are with but it is never Jetstar... one too many late delays/cancellations with them.

My son and daughter and my 2 grandsons are coming along, a quick fly in/fly out trip this time, flying back early Saturday morning, need to be back in Brisbane for the grandsons 18th birthday party that night.

Our flight is at 6am so it’s going to be a big day but hopefully a good one.

 

[Tom14]

Had a look on Ticketek and the only seats left available to the public are Level 4 behind the goals up the top from Q31 to Q36.

It's going to be packed.

Absolutely sucks that the heart of the Geelong fanbase (people who live in blue ribbon inner eastern Melbourne seats) have a late commute after the game

 

[knaf]

Absolutely sucks that the heart of the Geelong fanbase (people who live in blue ribbon eastern Melbourne seats) have a late commute after the game

And the Eastern Freeway is closed after 10 pm

 

[KissKiss]

And the Eastern Freeway is closed after 10 pm

I just realised my train line is partially down with bus replacements this week. Terrible timing for me personally.

 

[Tom14]

I think this will be a tough game and the cats are deservedly favourites but every actual reason given by a journalist as to why the cats will win is beyond ignorant.

 

[Tom14]

I think this will be a tough game and the cats are deservedly favourites but every actual reason given by a journalist as to why the cats will win is beyond ignorant.

For example: "Chris Scott just won't allow Brisbane to take 100 uncontested marks in a final"

LITERALLY LAST YEAR'S PRELIM:

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I think this will be a tough game and the cats are deservedly favourites but every actual reason given by a journalist as to why the cats will win is beyond ignorant.

Very happy to be undergogs.
But why are the cats deservedly favourites ? Just don't get it.
Against top 8 sides:
3 months ago beat Suns at K-park in Rd 13 by 4 goals
4 months ago beat pies at the 'G in Rd 8 by 3 points

Since then comprehensively beaten by us and the Giants

 

[Tom14]

Very happy to be undergogs.
But why are the cats deservedly favourites ? Just don't get it.
Against top 8 sides:
3 months ago beat Suns at K-park in Rd 13 by 4 goals
4 months ago beat pies at the 'G in Rd 8 by 3 points

Since then comprehensively beaten by us and the Giants

The two things I've seen in response are health (totally fair) and then a reference to how they had a similar easy run in 2022.

Which is true but they were a miles better team in 2022?

 

[briztoon]

Adam Simpson has us far and away ahead of every other club, in his analytics model, per his discussion on SEN this morning.

He also has the Suns beating Freo as well.

 

[martinson]

Geelong has probably learnt a lot from the drubbing we gave them during the year and they'll be a much tougher proposition this week. They'll certainly have cooked up a plan.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Geelong has probably learnt a lot from the drubbing we gave them during the year and they'll be a much tougher proposition this week. They'll certainly have cooked up a plan.

Step 1: no white shirts

Maybe all the Lions fans should go to the game in a white shirt

 

[GenericUsername202]

Adam Simpson has us far and away ahead of every other club, in his analytics model, per his discussion on SEN this morning.

He also has the Suns beating Freo as well.

Suns best is better than Freo's best, so I wouldn't be surprised if they won. Also, we can beat Geelong. Assuming we don't kick 8 goals 23 again.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Expansion teams mostly have a pretty decent record in their debut finals.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

Geelong has probably learnt a lot from the drubbing we gave them during the year and they'll be a much tougher proposition this week. They'll certainly have cooked up a plan.

Not seeing how they can beat us in the midfield.
And hard to see them winning without doing so.

As time's gone on, I don't think their midfield has improved much if any, whereas I feel ours has.

 

[martinson]

Not seeing how they can beat us in the midfield.
And hard to see them winning without doing so.

As time's gone on, I don't think their midfield has improved much if any, whereas I feel ours has.

They've got a few good young players who are on the way up.

I'm not underestimating them. But obviously if we play at our best they've got the task.

 

[Dalions]

Not seeing how they can beat us in the midfield.
And hard to see them winning without doing so.

As time's gone on, I don't think their midfield has improved much if any, whereas I feel ours has.

Comes down to how our forward line copes with their defensive set up imo.
I am still of the opinion that we should send Gallop to Stewart as a purely defensive forward and stop him from marking the ball.
AhChee played on ok role on him last year in the Prelim but imo Stewart almost single handedly kept them in the game.
And almost won it for them with the tackle and subsequent kick.

 

[braddsey]

Had a look on Ticketek and the only seats left available to the public are Level 4 behind the goals up the top from Q31 to Q36.

It's going to be packed.

I expect MCC members will also be packed. It's the only game on in Melbourne this week, Friday night, no rain. Gotta get value out of the many hundred's of dollars spent on membership fees annually!

 

[Dalions]

I expect MCC members will also be packed. It's the only game on in Melbourne this week, Friday night, no rain. Gotta get value out of the many hundred's of dollars spent on membership fees annually!

Heard today they are expecting a crowd in the 80’s.