AFL GRAND FINAL TIPS: Cats v Lions

Saturday, September 27 – 2.30 PM AEST – Venue: MCG

The Cats and Lions face off for the second time in this finals series in the Grand Final on Saturday. The Cats prevailed three weeks ago by 38 points, but the Lions are in much better form now – have the Lions bounced back to be a real premiership threat? All will be revealed on Saturday evening against the Cats.

Geelong and Brisbane have both won premierships in the last three years with Geelong winning in 2022 and Brisbane last year after losing in a tight contest to Collingwood in 2023. Let’s hope this game lives up to that high mark, with both sides bringing high pressure, excellent skills and lots of goals.

Jarrod Berry will miss after his shoulder popped out for the second time in five weeks. Lachie Neale is trying valiantly to prove his fitness, but will the Lions take a risk on him in a Grand Final? Reville could come into the 22 after being the sub last week and Chris Fagan will then have to decide on bringing in either Tunstill or Joyce as the sub – or will he roll the dice and take Lachie Neale in as the sub?

The Cats will be without Tom Stewart due to the 12 day concussion protocols. However, will the Cats challenge the protocols if he recovers quickly from his concussion to enable him to play? If he doesn’t play Rhys Stanley is available which would release Mark Blicavs to help in defence, but Blicavs has been on fie in the ruck, so the Cats may decide to bring in Jed Bews instead of Stanley. Bews would play on Charlie Cameron with Zach Guthrie taking on Tom Stewart’s role in defence.

The midfield battle will be important with Josh Dunkley likely to get a blanketing role on Patrick Dangerfield who was outstanding against the Hawks last week. Max Holmes, Tom Atkins and Bailey Smith will be taking on Hugh McCluggage, Levi Ashcroft and Will Ashcroft who has stepped up to cover Lachie Neale.

The Lions defence won’t make it easy for the Cats forwards either with Harris Andrews likely to take on Shannon Neale in a pivotal battle. Darcy Gardiner, Brandon Starcevich, Ryan Lester, Darcy Wilmot and Dane Zorko have been rock solid, but they will need to use the ball better when transitioning from defence as turnovers cost them 7 goals 5 behinds against the Cats last time. Miers, Stengle, Close and Mannagh will need to use their speed when they don’t have the ball to keep the pressure on the Lions defenders.

To win, the Lions need to hold their own in the midfield and get at least 10 goals out of livewire forward Kai Lohmann, Charlie Cameron, Callum Ah Chee and Cam Rayner.

The Cats are expected to send Oisin Mullin to tag McCluggage, but don’t rule out him tagging Will Ashcroft instead and Atkins going to McCluggage. Connor O’Sullivan may be asked to do a similar role on any of Dane Zorko, Darcy Wilmot or Zac Bailey, who is in great form.

The ruck battle will be interesting with Fort and Blicavs in good form. Whichever of them can dominate around the ground and kick a goal or two might be the difference. Jeremy Cameron is a big game player and if he gets space he will dominate the scoreboard.

What a game this should be! I think the Cats will be able to execute Chris Scott’s game plan to beat the Lions in a close one, if they kick straight!     

Cats by 16 points