Geelong vs Brisbane Lions Preview & Prediction | 2025 AFL | Grand Final
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Geelong will be aiming to claim their second premiership in four years when they take on the reigning premiers, the Brisbane Lions, at the MCG in a dream matchup of AFL heavyweights.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Some matches are televised on Fox Sports channels
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ & Watch AFL / US – Watch AFL
The prediction
Geelong was powerful in the Preliminary Final, overcoming an early challenge from Hawthorn to win by 30 points. After weathering the Hawks' initial storm, their class and experience shone through as they pulled away in the second half to book their Grand Final spot.
Brisbane is coming off a resilient 29-point Preliminary Final win over Collingwood. After being swamped by a six-goal blitz in the second quarter, the Lions responded with a match-winning seven-goal third term to seize back control and keep their back-to-back flag hopes alive.
Key Players:
Geelong's captain, Patrick Dangerfield, was simply breathtaking against Hawthorn. He put on a masterclass, dragging his team back into the contest, finishing with 31 disposals, eight clearances, and three crucial goals in a best-on-ground performance.
Brisbane midfielder Hugh McCluggage was instrumental in the win over the Magpies. He was tireless at the contest, finishing with a game-high 37 disposals and 10 clearances, architecting the Lions' second-half resurgence.
Team News:
The Cats have been dealt a massive blow with star defender and vice-captain Tom Stewart ruled out of the Grand Final. Stewart suffered a concussion in the prelim final and will be unavailable due to the AFL's mandatory 12-day protocol. Defender Jack Henry is expected to be fit despite an ankle scare in the same game, while Zach Guthrie is tipped to be the player to step into the void left by Stewart's absence.
The Lions' camp is focused on two key midfielders with contrasting injury concerns. Dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale is making a "miraculous" recovery from a calf tear and is now considered "extremely likely" to play in a major boost for the side. However, Jarrod Berry is a "long shot" to be available after dislocating his shoulder for the second time in a month during the prelim final.
Head-to-Head:
The Lions won both home-and-away encounters this season. However, the Cats won the most recent and most relevant clash, a dominant 38-point victory in the Qualifying Final just three weeks ago at the same venue, the MCG.
The Cats have the psychological edge from their recent finals win, but the reigning premier Lions have proven their resilience and ability to win high-pressure finals at the MCG.
Every time this season the Lions have looked like they have bottomed out, they come back and play terrific football and surprise pundits and followers alike. This is the ultimate test for them in the form of Geelong and this examination might prove a little too tough this time around.
Geelong vs Brisbane Lions tip: Geelong by 30+ points
