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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Geoff Lemon and Martin Pegan

AFL grand final 2025: Brisbane Lions crush Geelong Cats to win back-to-back premierships – as it happened

Cats Lions AFL Geelong Cats Brisbane (Geopolitical Entity)
Hugh McCluggage and Brisbane celebrate a goal during their 2025 AFL grand final victory over Geelong
Hugh McCluggage and Brisbane celebrate a goal during their 2025 AFL grand final victory over Geelong. Follow live scores and updates from Cats vs Lions at the MCG. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

And here’s Jonathan Horn’s take on the game:

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That’s it from me. There’ll be some more posts from our football team after this, but the AFL men’s football season for 2025 is officially over. Time to watch some cricket instead.

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There is the image: Brisbane are handed the cup, streamers and whatnot do their thing, and that will be the image that lives on the house walls of these players for the rest of their lives.

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And Brisbane coach Chris Fagan comes to the mic, getting his own medal on the way.

“First of all, I’d like to say thank you to Geelong. You’re an awesome footy club. You always give yourself a chance. I have total respect for you. I am sure we will be back bigger and better next year. To our supporters, you’ve been absolutely amazing for us all year. We love the way you made a noise for us today and inspired us. Thank so much. To our football department, what a brilliant job you’ve all done. I will thank you all in the next few days but you’re a pleasure to work with. You come to work every day and put your best foot forward, so well done on that. To our players, what an amazing group you are. It’s been pretty tough this year at times. And we have found a way. I have total respect for you, well done. Thank you.”

Here’s Harris Andrews.

“Firstly, I’d like to thank Geelong, Danger, and Chris. You guys have an unbelievable season and we’ve really admired everything you guys have done as a footy club and we have aspired to be like you guys. Thank you so much and best of luck. To the sponsors, the AFL sponsors, Toyota, our major sponsor Youi and all our partners, thank you for your support this year and throughout the last couple of years it’s been a great journey.

“To the families, the coaching staff, everyone inside footy club, we’re very, very grateful for your support. We can’t do what we do without you guys. Thank you so much for all the sacrifices you make week in, week out. To the playing group - what a special group of guys. Obviously guys who played today but the extended group, the whole playing list, it’s a special place to come to work every day. I count myself very lucky that I can be part of it. Unbelievable.

“To our fans, thank you so much for coming along the journey over the last couple of years. It’s been awesome. We really appreciate the love and support down here and all around Australia. Hope you guys enjoy this.”

Andrews and Neale as co-captains each get the Ron Barassi Medal.

Bruce Reville, premiership player, gets a huge ovation. Oscar McInerney gets one too.

The medallion parade goes on. The little kids’ voices are getting picked up by an errant mic if they’re brave enough to chat to the players. “I want to be just like you, man,” says a boy to Cam Rayner while handing over a medal. “Oh thanks, I want to be like you,” replies Rayner.

Will Ashcroft wins his second Norm Smith medal

Was he best on ground? Charlie Cameron was the game-breaker for me, even though he was leaner on the stats sheet. But other more learned heads cast the vote.

“Firstly, thank the sponsors Toyota and Youi. To the Cats boys, you guys were unbelievable all year. We knew we were going to be for a battle today. Congratulations on a great year. I am sure you will be back soon. To the crowd, both sides, we appreciate everything you do for us week in, week out. And to the Brisbane Lions Footy Club, from top to bottom, everyone puts in so much work. To the we keep turning up and battling through adversity. Can’t wait to enjoy tonight and next week and then we get back to work and go again next year.”

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A very measured speech from Patrick Dangerfield, captain of the Cats. No wailing or tears or emotional promises to be back next year. He says you win, you lose, that’s footy, on you go..

“Firstly, congratulations to Fages, Harris, Lachie and the entire Brisbane Lions organisation. You guys were super today, thoroughly deserving winners. To the AFL, thank you for putting on the best game in the world. To the fans who make it the best game in the world, we love you guys. To Brisbane and Geelong fans, it is what is so special about our game. To our guys, be proud, hold your heads up high. We don’t as Australians always celebrate those who come second all that well, but there’s plenty to be proud of. Beaten by a better side but very proud of our team. To our major sponsors, thank you for your support. To Brisbane, you were far too good. Congratulations, enjoy your celebrations. Thank you.”

Hard to comprehend how that became such a towel-up, after being level to half time, and still competitive to three-quarter time. I guess the game was gone a few minutes into the final quarter, and from there whatever happened didn’t mean much.

Brisbane go back to back, winning by 47 points

All Frenchmen stands, the Marsellaise rings around the MCG. Brisbane have gone back to back. They got smashed by Geelong in the first week of finals, didn’t have a prayer despite being given three goals by the umpires. Then today, the most complete of turnarounds. I’ll leave it to people who can analyse footy tactics better than me to explain how, but Brisbane played the game on their terms today. Lots of pressure, blocking space, giving Geelong no room to run and link up.

You can read Brisbane’s game by what happened to the Cats. Holmes and Smith got lots of disposals but few of those seemed to have an influence. Dangerfield had 10 stats, Jeremy Cameron had 8. Rhys Stanley was the player brought in to replace Tom Stewart: he had 6 possessions and got subbed off. Brisbane shut down Geelong’s best, fought the hard fight until half time, then cracked it open after that.

Q4: 1 minutes remaining: Geelong 11.9.75 – 18.14.122 Brisbane

Shaun Mannagh bangs another one through from range. All too late, as the game opens up when it doesn’t matter.

Q4: 1 minutes remaining: Geelong 10.9.69 – 18.14.122 Brisbane

Dempsey again, remarkably, stealing a loose ball off the fingertips after a dropped mark by the Brisbane defence and snapping truly. Smith is getting stuck into Harris Andrews. Not much point spraying the opposing captain who is about to hold up a premiership cup, I don’t think he cares. Then Mannagh comes forward down the wing and Dempsey kicks another one! His fourth, from a set shot in the pocket. None of his teammates have kicked more than one, is the problem.

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Q4: 3 minutes remaining: Geelong 8.9.57 – 18.13.121 Brisbane

One back for the Cats via Dempsey, good use of body in a marking contest and then kicks truly, but it’s the briefest of lulls before Brisbane charge down the other end and get the ball to McCluggage on the run. He’s kicked four. Four. Afte rbeing blanketed to the point that he said was embarrassed last time he played this team.

Q4: 5 minutes remaining: Geelong 7.9.51 – 17.13.115 Brisbane

How many is that in the last quarter? I’ve lost count. Long ball in has Morris and O’Sullivan battling, Morris is able to knock the ball into space, and Bailey gets his third to go with his six behinds. A moment later it’s McCluggage marking in the pocket and converting. They’re dancing on the MCG.

Q4: 8 minutes remaining: Geelong 7.8.50 – 15.13.103 Brisbane

The rush has finished. It goes kick to kick for a while. The Geelong players have that glassy-eyed look of the team that knows they’re cooked. Eventually, after his many misses early, Bailey picks off a mark and converts the set shot.

And even as I type that, Kai Lohmann on the run, freed of the bandage after that bleeding wound earlier, kicks another on the run after Neale wins a contested ball.

Q4: 13 minutes remaining: Geelong 7.8.50 – 13.11.89 Brisbane

Now they’re lining up for a moment in the dying afternoon sun. Another long ball in, another ball spilling over the back of a pack, where Charlie C handballs on to McCluggage running by, who kicks it on the run from the pocket. Quality finish.

Q4: 15 minutes remaining: Geelong 7.8.50 – 12.11.83 Brisbane

Lachie Neale involved, first with a centre-square burst that doesn’t end in the right hands, then in a stoppage, taking the tap, handing off to Will Ashcroft, who snaps the sealer from the pocket. Brisbane are going back to back!

Q4: 15 minutes remaining: Geelong 7.8.50 – 11.11.77 Brisbane

And yep, that’s that. The pressure on Geelong’s defence eventually tells, with Guthrie trying to pass across the face of goal but miskicking it. O’Sullivan fumbles the loose ball. Has no option but to handball into space, where Rayner picks it up and slams it home.

Q4: 16 minutes remaining: Geelong 7.8.50 – 10.11.71 Brisbane

Bailey misses one, Charlie Cameron another. Brisbane all over them, but somehow Geelong break away. Jack Martin ends up with the ball at half forward, plays on, finds Blicavs 40 metres out, and then Fletcher runs through the protected area and gives away 50! A possible goal becomes a dead cert, and the Cats are within 21. Still too much ground for them to make up, the way they’ve been playing.

Q4: 19 minutes remaining: Geelong 6.8.44 – 10.9.69 Brisbane

First goal of the fourth comes within 30 seconds. And it is Charlie Cameron again. There is something so electric about the way he plays, but this shot at goal comes via Cam Rayner’s crunching tackle in the centre square. Blicavs had the loose ball and was looking to wheel around when Rayner slammed into him. Won the free kick, and Charlie leads out to mark it and convert.

Three-quarter time: Q3: Geelong 6.8.44 – 9.9.63 Brisbane

It’s a game-high 19 points with quarter to go. That wouldn’t feel an insurmountable lead in a normal match, but this one has been claustrophobic. Very little open play from the Cats, they looked shaken in that last 10 or 15 minutes too, with the defence trying to cling on. The coaching staff have one more break to try to breathe some air into their game, and try to take advantage of Brisbane fatigue. The Lions didn’t look fatigued in that quarter though, they looked buoyant. They know they’re close. First goal of the fourth decides it?

Q3: 0 minutes remaining: Geelong 6.8.44 – 9.9.63 Brisbane

Cats defence under siege, Smith getting it out, Sullivan goes for the one-two, the handball is too hard, it goes astray, Zorko at half forward hands it on to Neale, and the injury comeback story ends in a running goal, three in a row for Brisbane.

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Q3: 1 minutes remaining: Geelong 6.8.44 – 8.9.57 Brisbane

Brisbane’s Cameron with another! The scrambled ball forward after a crashing contest at a ball-up on centre wing, Guthrie goes back and tries to spoil, but it spills over the back, Lohmann runs onto it, hands across to Charlie Cameron who runs into the open goal and bangs through his third. 13 points feels a big margin in this contest.

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Q3: 2 minutes remaining: Geelong 6.8.44 – 7.9.51 Brisbane

Lachie Neale is already on the ground, by the way, sub activated before Starcevich came off with the concussion. Jack Martin is floating around too, likely to replace Jeremy Cameron.

Q3: 3 minutes remaining: Geelong 6.8.44 – 7.9.51 Brisbane

Contested mark by Charlie Cameron! Bruce Reville gets the ball in, and Cameron double grabs but holds it. Lions up by 7.

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Q3: 5 minutes remaining: Geelong 6.8.44 – 6.9.45 Brisbane

Stengle wins a holding the ball free inside 50 on the boundary line, but his pass to Mannagh is ruled too short, and there’s a ball up. Starcevich is coming off for the Lions with a possible concussion from a marking contest.

Q3: 6 minutes remaining: Geelong 6.8.44 – 6.9.45 Brisbane

Blicavs has a chance to pass inside 50 on the counter but miscues the kick and it’s turned over through Andrews. Down the other end, the Lions have a couple of rushed shots at goal, Lohmann and then Bailey, but both miss. Lions up by a point.

Q3: 9 minutes remaining: Geelong 6.8.44 – 6.7.43 Brisbane

Bruce Reville misses a running shot at goal from distance. Dangerfield looking to burst down the wing kicks one out on the full. Still a scrappy game. Cats go forward but the kick inside 50 lands in front of Stanley, and the Lions steal it. The ball rebounds up and back a couple of times. Then it’s a wild chase and tackle from Cameron, chasing Fletcher down the wing. Reaches out, grabs the back of Fletcher’s jumper, and dumps him to the ground. Turnover, ball ends up with Miers passing to Max Holmes, who kicks the goal from outside 50! Cats in front.

But Cameron is going down into the rooms. I’m betting he has a fractured arm. He knocked it on the ground during that tackle and was immediately in a lot of pain.

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Q3: 14 minutes remaining: Geelong 5.8.38 – 6.6.42 Brisbane

Starting to feel like the Lions’ day! Bailey finally gets on the board after four misses in the first term. Wasn’t hard to soccer that from the goalsquare. Max Holmes has barely been sighted today. Tries a long kick into the centre square from the wing, it gets turned over, and Brisbane belt back the other way, the kick clearing the pack and letting Bailey run back onto it.

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Q3: 16 minutes remaining: Geelong 5.8.38 – 5.6.36 Brisbane

That’s a crazy non free kick in the goalsquare. Brad Close is grabbed and slung to the ground without having touched the football, after a long ball in, but the umpires let it ride. Stanley was contesting for a mark with Close nearby. Harris Andrews rushes a behind.

Q3: 18 minutes remaining: Geelong 5.7.37 – 5.6.36 Brisbane

Geelong with the start to the third quarter in terms of possession: Dempsey on the wing, short pass to Miers, to Mannagh, to Stengle, who eventually finds Cameron deep in the pocket, but Cameron’s kick around the body goes across the face for a point. Cats into the lead by one.

Second half is beginning.

Jeremy Cameron is playing on with a heavily strapped arm. I wonder if he has a small fracture. He was struggling to use the arm late in the last quarter.

Quite a combo at half time, with Bruce McAvaney and Gout Gout combining for the half-time sprint race. Neither of them ran, to be clear. Gout was the starter and Bruce called it.

Jed Walter from the Suns wins it with a late burst. For some reason, boxer Harry Garside was in there amongst the footy players. Didn’t feature near the finish.

Last time that scores were level at half-time in a grand final was 1909. This is just the third time in VFL/AFL history as well.

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That’s what you expect. It hasn’t been pretty, and it hasn’t been dynamic. It has had a few moments of notable skill, but mostly it has been about players throwing themselves at the contest.

Notable points for Brisbane: McCluggage is in the game. Lachie Neale isn’t. He’s on the bench wearing the substitute vest, with that calf injury from the first week of finals. Brisbane said he was fit to play, but keep holding him back. Brisbane dominated that quarter with pressure, bringing the margin back level from a 10-point deficit.

The bright side for the Cats is that they’ve been outplayed that quarter but aren’t behind on the scoreboard. Less bright, their playmakers haven’t had much influence. Blicavs we haven’t seen much, Smith has been muted in effectiveness, Dangerfield hasn’t been much sighted, and Cameron (Jeremy) has this injury problem after smashing his wrist and getting a clip to the jaw.

HT: Geelong 5.6.36 – 5.6.36 Brisbane

Another arm wrestle inside Geelong’s forward 50 as the half time siren approaches, and Brisbane are able to keep things close enough to the boundary line to shut down any free use of the ball.

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Q2: 2 minutes remaining: Geelong 5.6.36 – 5.6.36 Brisbane

Scores are level, but the Cats are in trouble. Lawson Humphries attacks the ball at half forward, runs on, and finds Brad Close on a lead across the face of goal. Close kicks it from 40 metres out. He’s had the yips in recent weeks but kicks that one truly.

But the big problem is that Jeremy Cameron has injured his arm. He and Dangerfield both attacked a ball full tilt and collided. Just as they did last week in the prelim. They got away with it that time, but this time Cameron hit his jaw on Danger’s shoulder, and crushed his forearm against Danger’s body. Should probably be off for a concussion assessment but that hasn’t happened. And he’s holding his arm, in obvious pain, while insisting he’ll stay on the ground.

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Q2: 4 minutes remaining: Geelong 4.6.30 – 5.6.36 Brisbane

Cats getting the free kicks here, which will incite the crowd, but that one to Stengle was clear as day, the defender’s arms wrapped around his waist during a bounce inside 50. Stengle pleases Brisbane supporters by missing from 45 out. A goal the difference.

Q2: 6 minutes remaining: Geelong 4.5.29 – 5.6.36 Brisbane

Favour returned by Levi Ashcroft! He’s a lot smaller than Shannon Neale, but called to play on from outside 50, he jinks, gets around the player on the mark, unloads from about 51 metres, and nails the goal.

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Q2: 8 minutes remaining: Geelong 4.5.29 – 4.6.30 Brisbane

Brisbane with the game on their terms for the moment, shutting down a Geelong surge as Stanley fumbles a handball receive and the Lions pick it off. But Bailey Smith contests at half back. He’s had a few looks at the footy but not a lot of composure in his disposals. Makes up for it with a contested get and a handball out to Humphries on the wing, to Mannagh up the ground, who kicks to Shannon Neale.

Arms chopped, free kick paid outside 50. But Neale wants to take a shot. This will take a huge kick. From 60 out… it swerves left, then comes back inside the goalpost!

A magnificent grand final goal.

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Q2: 11 minutes remaining: Geelong 3.5.23 – 4.6.30 Brisbane

McCluggage! Got erased from the game against Geelong earlier in this finals series, and his tagger kicked a goal in the first quarter here, but McCluggage has still been just about the most influential Brisbane player on the ground today. A tiny bit of space inside 50, Ashcroft kicks with utter precision, and it’s McCluggage running into the pocket to mark, then threads the goal.

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Q2: 12 minutes remaining: Geelong 3.5.23 – 3.6.24 Brisbane

Brisbane really lifting, lots of pressure, not giving Geelong a route out of defence. A couple of good intercept marks from the Cats in the back 50, but the question is where to go next. And each time Geelong go forward, there’s not much precision in the entries. But eventually a high ball draws another free from Reville, who was shoving Dempsey out of a contest in the pocket. But Dempsey’s kick running around the mark is tugged to the near side from the left pocket.

Q2: 15 minutes remaining: Geelong 3.4.22 – 3.6.24 Brisbane

Fierce from the Lions! Ashcroft’s handball in the centre square, Rayner’s long all forward, Morris can’t hold the mark, but Charlie Cameron runs onto the loose ball in the pocket, turns towards goal, and snaps it true. What a kick. Brisbane in front.

Q2: 16 minutes remaining: Geelong 3.4.22 – 2.6.18 Brisbane

Goal for goal there, Logan Morris with the mark, after once again it’s McCluggage who gets involved from a stoppage at centre half forward, winning a contested ball and belting it on.

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Q2: 18 minutes remaining: Geelong 3.3.21 – 1.6.12 Brisbane

Start of the second quarter, and an indiscretion costs Brisbane. Bailey Smith driving the ball into Geelong’s 50, Andrews and Neale contesting in the pocket, Stengle’s snap goes across the face of goal. Bowes is lurking under the drop on the far side of the goal face, and Bruce Reville grabs his arm and jumper trying to contest. Free kick paid, had to be, and from a tricky angle in the pocket, Bowes gets the drop punt on line. Goal.

QT: Geelong 2.3.15 – 1.6.12 Brisbane

It was what you would expect from a grand final’s first quarter: congested, intense, lots of tackling and attack on the football, and a lack of polish when the time came to show off skills. Geelong had plenty of time forward early without generating shots at goal, then Brisbane had a string of shots but missed them all bar one from Lohmann. It was frantic forward-line pressure plus Ollie Dempsey’s tendency to drift forward, then Mullin with a rare moment of poise, that got Geelong’s lead. But it’s not by much.

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Q1: 0 minutes remaining: Geelong 2.3.15 – 1.6.12 Brisbane

Another miss in this quarter, this time for Geelong, as Stengle tries a banana kick from the boundary line under pressure. Cats get the ball moving forward against but Harris Andrews is able to spoil Neale’s attempted mark. Zac Guthrie has the ball at the front of the centre square, about to send it inside 50, when the siren sounds.

Q1: 2 minutes remaining: Geelong 2.2.14 – 1.6.12 Brisbane

Brisbane can’t get the radar working. Out of the centre bounce, holding the ball decision is paid advantage, they find Bailey on the lead, but his set shot misses. Four behinds for Bailey in the first quarter! Then trying again, Ashcroft’s snap from the pocket goes out on the full. So 12 points for Brisbane, but they’ve earned their second goal the hard way, via six behinds.

Q1: 4 minutes remaining: Geelong 2.2.14 – 1.5.11 Brisbane

Oisin Mullin on the counter! He was on the bench when McCluggage set up that previous goal, but was brought straight back on. Guthrie from the kick-in goes up the wing, Clark up to Stengle. Lester fumbles. Dempsey over the top at half forward, finds the runner, it’s the Irishman streaming forward, he runs inside 50 and nails the running shot for his second career goal!

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Q1: 5 minutes remaining: Geelong 1.2.8 – 1.5.11 Brisbane

Huge chance for Bailey! Three Geelong defenders crash into each other, trying to spoil a ball into full forward, and Bailey emerges from the chaos with the ball. But misses his snap from 20 out. One goal five? Oof.

Q1: 5 minutes remaining: Geelong 1.2.8 – 1.4.10 Brisbane

First goal for Brisbane! Lohmann wasn’t likely to miss his set shot, after McCluggage loses Tom Atkins and gets the ball forward. Lions on the counter find the mark inside 50 and it’s finished well.

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Q1: 6 minutes remaining: Geelong 1.2.8 – 0.4.4 Brisbane

A chance for Brisbane to answer quickly, but Ah Chee’s set shot goes to the right. Rayner gives away a free on the wing for high contact. Into the Geelong 50, Bailey Smith snaps towards goal but the ball tumbles along the ground and the Lions repel.

Q1: 9 minutes remaining: Geelong 1.2.8 – 0.3.3 Brisbane

Free kick for Blicavs, wrestled to the ground by McInerney in the ruck, then Stengle wins one on the wing for being held. Finds Cameron at half forward, to Miers 55 out, who squares up a kick to de Koning who has drifted forward to take a contested mark 35 metres out. But he misses his set shot. Still waiting for a goal here… but not any more!

The Lions get cut off on their way out of defence. Holmes spoils on the wing, Bowes links up at half forward, into the pocket, Cameron contests. Mannagh grabs the loose ball, finds Bowes, raking handball finds Dempsey near the goal post, and he runs around a defender to snap the goal.

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Q1: 12 minutes remaining: Geelong 0.1.1 – 0.3.3 Brisbane

A set shot from Bailey for the Lions after high contact in a tackle, but he misses from the forward pocket. Geelong’s exit ends badly with a kick out of bounds on the full at half back, but the ball ends up locked under several stoppages. Eventually Jhye Clark coughs up possession with a desperate kick, but Wilmot’s snap for Brisbane misses.

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Q1: 13 minutes remaining: Geelong 0.1.1 – 0.1.1 Brisbane

Kai Lohamnn has his scalp split open by a teammate’s knee and is on the bench getting some blood cleaned up. Brisbane now getting some time forward, Rayner circling each pack with a few stoppages in a row.

Q1: 14 minutes remaining: Geelong 0.1.1 – 0.1.1 Brisbane The ball has been locked in Geelong’s forward half for the first few minutes, but nothing to show for it. They’ve shut down every Brisbane foray down the wing, but haven’t had a clean possession themselves within the arcs. Finally Brisbane break free and reach their forward line, though Humphries repels them after a nervous moment under pressure by the boundary line. The ball comes back, Rayner attempts a mark but drops it. Finally Bailey has a snap after a stoppage but misses, first point for Brisbane.

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Q1: 17 minutes remaining: Geelong 0.1.1 – 0.0.0 Brisbane

First score of the afternoon as Dempsey for the Lions punches through a long ball forward from Dangerfield, who marked strongly about 60 out from goal on the lead.

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Q1: 18 minutes remaining: Geelong 0.0.0 – 0.0.0 Brisbane

First burst forward is for the Lions, but Jack Henry marks strongly on the last line. Up the wing to Bailey Smith who finds Stengle lace out at half forward, but his kick is too far wide of Jeremy Cameron in the pocket.

Oisin Mullin starting on the bench, after having tagged Hugh McCluggage out of the game in the previous meeting between these teams a couple of weeks back.

Mark Blicavs at the opening bounce as the Cats ruck rather than Rhys Stanley. Darcy Fort is in the middle for the Lions.

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Under way at the MCG

Hello all. There goes the cheer after the national anthem, the moment that tingles all of the spines in the MCG. It never fails. The captains go out for the toss, Patrick Dangerfield and Harris Andrews. Both go back into their huddles and address their teams, one final exhortation before the game begins. And we’re on.

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Grab a cuppa, or perhaps a glass of something stiffer, as Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr delivers the Welcome to Country and hands over to Vera Blue to perform the national anthem.

Thanks a lot for following along today. The build up to the AFL grand final is almost as fun as the game itself, especially when Snoop Dogg steals the show.

Here is Geoff Lemon to guide you through what I expect and hope will be an absolute cracker.

One of these teams will become the first to win a pair of premierships this decade – and five flags this century. Brisbane can draw on their kicking strength, while Geelong have the edge in midfield – but can the perennial contenders upset the reigning premiers?

Here is where the 2025 AFL grand final will be won – and lost – and the key players to watch …

Here … come … the Lions. Lachie Neale looks subdued knowing that he won’t be called into action from the first bounce. His co-captain Harris Andrews leads Brisbane out to a mix of cheers and boos that suggest the crowd might be leaning toward the Victorian side rather than the reigning premiers. “We are the pride of Brisbane town … ”

The umpires make their way onto the MCG with the Cats players coming out next as captain Patrick Dangerfield leads the way. “We are Geelong … ”

If you’ve come for the pre-game party – and I hope you haven’t arrived late, because Snoop Dogg and co were fantastic – then make sure you stay for the main event.

Not sure which of our feline friends to support in the AFL grand final? Alex McKinnon is here to help …

So how does an AFL bandwagoner pick a band to wagon? It might come down to regional parochialism, to recognition of dominance, or to simple vibes.

Only a joint-question left to ponder as Snoop wraps up his set … Who Am I? (What’s My Name)?

A change of pace as Australian singer Jessica Mauboy joins Snoop on stage for Beautiful.

But here it is, the one we (I) have been waiting for – a hint of Still DRE, then straight into Gin and Juice. Tunes!

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A fast start from the DO Double G and he’s finding plenty of space on the outer wing. Drop It Like It’s Hot gets an early run.

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Snoop strolls onto the hallowed turf dressed in all white and starts with a bang. It’s the Dr Dre classic The Next Episode.

“One, two, three and to the fo …” and the hip-hop star is into Nuthin’ but a G Thang.

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Alright party people, it’s time to cut loose as Snoop Dogg turns hype-man and pits Geelong and Brisbane fans against each other before stepping out onto the MCG.

Geelong and Brisbane players have already been and gone from the MCG turf as they complete their warm ups and make way for the pre-game entertainment.

The pre-game entertainment begins with Baker Boy kicking goals from the opening bars. The Australian hip-hop gun takes a back seat for the retiring players motorcade.

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Final teams

Teams are in with no further changes.

But the huge news is that Lachie Neale will start the AFL grand final as Brisbane’s sub. The dual Brownlow medallist evidently is not quite ready to return in full, but as we saw in the Lions’ win over the Magpies last weekend, a sub may well be called into the game just moments after it begins.

Geelong also spring a surprise with Jack Martin named as their sub after 21-year-old Jhye Clark had taken on the role throughout their finals campaign but is promoted into the starting 22.

Berry is the unlucky Lion to miss the grand final after dislocating a shoulder last week, with Neale returning from a calf injury sustained 21 days ago that was initially expected to end his season. Cats ruck Rhys Stanley has also been recalled with the ever-versatile Mark Blicavs likely needed back in defence after Tom Stewart sustained a concussion in the preliminary final.

Brisbane’s Jarrod Berry and Geelong’s Tom Stewart are both at the MCG for the AFL grand final. But neither will be playing today. Berry is out due to a shoulder injury, while Stewart sustained a concussion in the preliminary final.

The traditional half-time sprint will feature teenage sensation Gout Gout … on the starting gun.

The 100m dash across the MCG will see seven footballers and one Olympic medallist in boxer Harry Garside. Lining up alongside Garside will be last year’s grand final print winner Beau McCreery (Collingwood), this year’s Rising Star winner Murphy Reid (Fremantle), Sydney’s Nick Blakey, GWS Giants’ Toby Greene, Gold Coast’s Jed Walter, Richmond’s Maurice Rioli and St Kilda’s Jack Higgins. Quite a few speedsters in the pack. But I’m not sure Greene is quite in the same class.

Geelong’s Max Holmes won the grand final sprint back in 2023 – but has more important matters to tend to today.

Chris Scott took over a two-time premiership team but has since guided Geelong to new heights. The stats for remaining in contention in all but two seasons since 2011 speak for themselves. Jonathan Horn writes more about the way Scott handles himself in a job he does as well as anyone has before him …

He doesn’t speak the language of Harvard leadership courses. He speaks the language of Leigh Matthews. He has a way of structuring his answers to make the questioner and the viewer come away thinking they have no idea whatsoever. “I could understand why you would think that but …” Or, “I could be wrong, but …” Or “I’m not going to explain that to you right now.”

Football fan podcasts have become a critical means for supporters around the country – and even around the globe – to stay connected to their clubs. That counts for even more when they are going through hard times.

I really enjoyed writing this tale – and speaking with Roar Deal co-host Dom Fay – about taking the journey with the Lions from absolute bottom to the very top.

Brisbane were not just off-Broadway. They were out of sight, and out of mind. Playing away from the intense glare of the football media in the heartland states proved a blessing in disguise as the club reached the finals only once in 14 seasons from 2005.

The Roar Deal is now the centrepiece of a community that stretches far beyond the Lions’ home base and roots in Fitzroy, as Dom Fay and AFL reporter Michael Whiting spend several hours each week on “talking all things Brisbane Lions”.

While we wait for confirmation from Brisbane over whether or not Lachie Neale will start the AFL grand final as the sub, more verifiable reports are filtering of today’s pre-game headliner – Snoop Dogg – still out on the town and spitting bars at 3.49am.

Hosting an AFL grand final watch party? Let us know where you are.

And I wholeheartedly recommend any or all of Georgia Levy’s mac ’n’ cheese canapés, Rukmini Iyer’s halloumi, zucchini and chickpea fritters, or Alice Zaslavsky’s fish finger tacos – all the grand final day recipes here …

It is being reported that Brisbane’s Lachie Neale will start the 2025 AFL grand final as the sub.

The dual Brownlow medallist is on the comeback trail from a calf injury sustained late in the qualifying final defeat to Geelong. That was 21 days ago and he has been named in the Lions’ 23, but Neale was initially ruled out for the rest of the season and it remains to be seen just how much he can offer – and play – today at the MCG.

Patrick Dangerfield turned on one of the all-time great finals performances in Geelong’s preliminary final triumph over Hawthorn. The Cats skipper’s legacy is already cemented, but as Jonathan Horn writes, Dangerfield is making the most of being managed through a season as a power player.

Dangerfield could easily have seen out his final years mainly as a forward, as a bit of a pinch hitter, a player reliant on craft and guile. But he’s become more of a power athlete, and more of a manic player, if that was possible. If you compare him to the tapes of his Brownlow year, he’s bigger through the chest and glutes. He generates as much torque as he ever has. It’s just that he’s utilised a bit more judiciously.

Fans from both sides – as well as the usual smattering of neutrals and corporate types – are starting to make their way into the MCG – or just enjoying the build up from outside the ground.

Brisbane – and their fans – endured a dismal stretch between their three-peat of premierships in 2001-03 and their rebirth in 2019. But that has made the current period of success all the sweeter, as our reporter in Queensland, Joe Hinchliffe, writes …

From Chris Fagan’s first season as coach in 2017, we – or at least I – had invested increasingly messianic faith in the former school teacher from Tasmania’s ability to resurrect our beloved Lions. Yes, we finished bottom of the ladder in that first year and would win just five games in each of those first two seasons.

But, under Fagan, watching the Lions play went from excruciating to exciting. After years in the doldrums, a whisper of hope began to flutter the sails of our once mighty football club.

The Norm Smith medal voting panel is studded with big names including a pair of two-time winners in chairperson and former Crows great, Andrew McLeod, as well as former Hawks and Lions star, Luke Hodge. Kate McCarthy, Jack Riewoldt and Adam Simpson will also be taking on the high-pressure task of voting for the best afield.

Who is your tip? I’m all in on Max Holmes, that that assumes Geelong are going to win.

AFL is still edging its way around the world. And I can confirm, from personal experience, that a watch party in a foreign land alongside like-minded early birds (or larks, depending on where you are) is one of the great occasions.

Jack Snape is at the MCG today, but has looked at the fans watching from much, much further away …

The AFL grand final at the MCG will attract a crowd more than 30,000 fans larger than that of the next Super Bowl.

But while there may be more than 50 watch parties for this weekend’s match scheduled across the globe, including five in China and six in Germany, the sport’s international growth remains a work in progress.

Let us know where you’re watching from as we try to find the fans furthest from the MCG?

Geelong have set the highest of standards in the modern era with four premierships since 2007 while being in contention to add to that haul almost every season.

Geoff Lemon, who will be taking you through the big game, understands better than most that Cats fans hope for the sustained success to continue as much for the club to get its adequate reward as for the joy of victory.

One premiership in the last 13 years could feel pretty good if your team had jagged one in a period of mostly being ordinary. But one premiership in 13 years when 11 of them were spent as contenders, that feels underweight.

The weather in Melbourne is looking ideal for the 46 players stepping onto the MCG in a few hours and the 100,000+ watching from the stands. But it’s not quite the scorcher fans following from homes and backyards are as likely to enjoy.

The forecast is for a top of 19C and sunny skies with a bit of cloud around.

Geelong v Brisbane is the AFL grand final we had to have. The modern-day powerhouses have won two of the past three premierships, and are the only sides to win more than two-thirds of their games over the past six seasons.

Here is where the game will be won – and lost – as well as the matchups to keep an eye on and the players set to shape the decider. And a prediction for how it will all play out – send us your tips on email.

Preamble

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the 2025 AFL grand final between Geelong and Brisbane at the MCG. A decider between the Cats and Lions has been brewing for a while. Yes, for the 126 years that both clubs have been in the league, as they meet for the first time on the biggest stage. And especially over the past seven seasons since Brisbane took a huge leap toward joining Geelong among the perennial contenders.

Brisbane are in a third consecutive grand final and out to become the first team since Richmond in 2019-20 to go back-to-back, while Geelong won a premiership three years ago. The Cats began this season’s finals campaign with a statement win over the reigning premiers though the Lions have responded with a pair of their own resounding victories.

A widely held view is that we have landed on the two best sides this year, as the Cats are on an eight-match winning streak, while the Lions at the top of their game are arguably still the team to beat. With stars on both sides, as well as emerging and unlucky players that missed the recent premiership for each club, this has all the makings for a cracker.

I’ll be seeing us through to just before the first bounce, when Geoff Lemon will take the reins. There is more than enough action to keep us busy until then. Snoop Dogg headlines the pre-match entertainment and will be joined on stage by Tash Sultana and Baker Boy. Emma Donovan and Kee’ahn will help us get warmed up and, of course, Mike Brady will be playing his usual part and belting out the classics of the genre.

First bounce will be at the traditional grand final start time of 2.30pm local time / AEST. Let us know whether your preference is for an afternoon, twilight or night-time start for the decider in the future?

Team news will be coming in an hour or so. Meanwhile, let us know your tips and predictions, and any other thoughts on how the game will play out – shoot me an email or find me @martinpegan on Bluesky or X. Let’s get into it!

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