AFL TIPS: Brisbane v Sydney

Saturday, August 9 – 4.15 PM AEST – Venue: Gabba

Brisbane will be looking to grab a top two spot so they are guaranteed to play home finals until the Grand Final. They need to win all three games until finals and hope that the Pies or Crows falter.

Sydney is in good form and beat a plucky Essendon last week. Although they don’t have anything to play for now that they can’t make the finals, they will be trying to finish the year strongly and set themselves up for a great 2026.  

Hayden McLean may return from concussion protocols and Aaron Francis will be considered for a recall. Heeney was back to his best last week and Grundy, Warner and Gulden form a strong midfield unit. The Swans forwards will get plenty of opportunity, but they need to convert opportunities into goals. Tom Papley will help in that regard.  

After a stirring win over the Pies on the MCG last week, Brisbane will be looking for the midfield to dominate possession with Neale, the Ashcroft brothers, McCluggage, Dunkley, Fletcher and Fort looking to provide their forwards with plenty of goal scoring opportunities. Zac Bailey, Charlie Cameron and Cam Rayner will provide the X factor for Logan Morris and Eric Hipwood to work alongside.    

The Lions have too much to play for on their home deck.  

Brisbane by 25 points

There’s something electric about a clash between Brisbane and Sydney it’s like footy itself is pulsing through the air. What a terrific storyline this matchup provides, and if you’re looking for some thoughtful AFL Betting Tips heading in, let’s unpack what’s been unfolding on the field.

First, a glance backwards: in the 2024 AFL Grand Final, Brisbane delivered an emphatic 60-point statement, thumping Sydney 120 to 60. Will Ashcroft dazzled on the day, nabbed the Best on Ground (Norm Smith) award as one of the youngest ever, and really symbolised how Brisbane’s momentum had peaked at just the right time. That performance wasn’t just a one-off – the Lions rolled through with resilience and mental steel all through that finals series.

Fast-forward to the 2025 season, and Brisbane continues to steady the ship. They’ve cemented themselves firmly in the top four, showing that the premiership wasn’t a fluke. Meanwhile, Sydney, after a strong minor premiership run in 2024, are navigating change – shifting coaching gears with Dean Cox stepping in after John Longmire’s long tenure.

So, here’s where those AFL Tips and AFL Prediction nuggets come into play. Brisbane look durable: they’ve leaned on a core of experienced leaders and rising stars, and their finals campaign last year showed there’s plenty of belief inside the locker room. Sydney might still be finding their feet after the coaching switch and that hefty Grand Final defeat but they’re not pushovers. Expect them to push hard, especially in front of their home fans.

For anyone reading this with an eye on AFL Betting Tips, consider the Lions as a consistent betting lean with their finals pedigree and stable squad, they give a sense of trust. But if you’re exploring broader AFL Tips, don’t discount the potential of a spirited, close contest. Sydney’s hunger for redemption runs deep and could bring a surprise performance at The Gabba.

At the end of the day, my two-bit AFL Prediction? Brisbane retains the edge slightly tighter than 2024 but still in control. Expect a hard-fought game, but odds are Brisbane’s finals grit sees them through.

Boiled down: Brisbane looks rock-solid, Sydney is scrappy and unsettled and that’s where the intrigue lies. Here’s hoping for a ripping contest.