Brisbane Lions Prepare for Fourth Consecutive AFL Grand Final

The Brisbane Lions will compete in their fourth consecutive AFL grand final on Saturday, sitting one victory away from securing the second three-peat in the history of the club. If victorious against the Fremantle Dockers, Brisbane will become the seventh team in VFL/AFL history to win three premierships in a row.

Squad Evolution and Coaching Leadership

Although the Lions have maintained a consistent presence at the top of the league, their roster has undergone significant turnover. Brisbane will have fielded 35 different players across their four grand final appearances, with only 11 players featuring in all four matches. This represents a faster roster turnover than the club experienced during its four straight grand finals at the turn of the century, when 29 players were used.

Under coach Chris Fagan, Brisbane has successfully retooled while remaining in premiership contention. Fagan noted after the preliminary final win over Hawthorn that while reaching this position is exciting, the team cannot afford to get caught up in thinking about potential history.

Tactical Style and Midfield Strength

Since 2024, Brisbane has led the league in kicks and controlling possession through marking targets. In their preliminary final victory over Hawthorn, both teams logged just 92 handballs each, marking only the fifth time since 2008 that two sides took under 100 handballs in a single match. Over the past four seasons, Brisbane has continuously ranked in the top two for clearance differential.

The midfield is bolstered by the return of Lachie Neale from suspension, alongside Josh Dunkley, Hugh McCluggage, Zac Bailey, Will and Levi Ashcroft, and former top draft pick Cam Rayner. Up front, recruit Oscar Allen has slotted into the attack to replace Joe Daniher, while veteran Conor McKenna has transitioned into a new positional role. All seven core Brisbane forwards, plus Bailey, average more than a goal per game.

Defensive Vulnerabilities Ahead of Decider

Despite their offensive efficiency, Brisbane's defense has shown susceptibility to direct, high-speed play. The Sydney Swans exploited this approach during their qualifying final victory, and Hawthorn utilized a similar strategy in the preliminary final. During this finals series, the Lions have conceded more points than any other team to reach a grand final, with every previous team that conceded over 100 points per game en route to the decider ultimately losing the final match.