The mighty Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds) are one step away from securing a home Gabba Grand Final appearance and all we need to do is beat Geelong on Saturday night.
Too easy, right?
Well, I wish it were.
I’ve been playing out every single scenario of this match in my head and on paper and quite frankly, I simply can’t see how the mighty Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds) lose this one despite trying to work out how Geelong can beat us.
For what it’s worth, you can spend so much time crunching numbers, exploring various tactics and sifting through as much video of previous games as you want – but this is gut-feel.
We’re playing at home, we’re 10-0 at the Gabba and football needs the mighty Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds) playing on the biggest day in Queensland football history.
There’s never been a better time and that time is now.
It’s a date, @GeelongCats pic.twitter.com/HTQ2xEiksn
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) October 10, 2020
We got that dreaded Richmond monkey off our back, have had time to rest up and have embraced everything finals football has on offer.
It’s also nice to finally be getting an actual HOME preliminary final against the Cats (2004 season I’m looking at you)
The mighty Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds) means business, we live for the big time and we live for the moment.
Don’t worry about the Cats, who are coming off a 68 point win over the Pies and are also unbeaten at the Gabba.
Geelong has built a reputation as semi-final specialists, but regularly get done over in the preliminary final, it’s become a tradition.
That’s not to say to write them off, far from it.
We play our game, stick to our plan, play our way and we’ll be right.
There will be no 22-point turnaround like we saw at the SCG back in June, not at all.
The mighty Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds) are going full-throttle, all-guns-blazing, 110% and whatever another cliche you want to add here.
We’ve got this.
I look forward to previewing the Lions ahead of a Grand Final next week.
Can't wait to see this again 😍 pic.twitter.com/GSGdFbiigH
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) October 13, 2020
It’s a big weekend for Charlie’s and the Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds)
On Sunday, Lachie Neale will win the 2020 Brownlow medal and on Saturday, Charlie Cameron will play a vital role in taking the Brisbane Lions into a Grand Final.
Cameron has previous form in breaking Geelong hearts in finals.
In his previous life as an Adelaide Crow, Cameron kicked five goals in their crushing defeat of Geelong in the 2017 Preliminary Final.
Charlie knows what he’s doing.
Just picture the Gabba erupting when he kicks the first goal of the night as the mighty Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds) get on with the job.
"Cameron has a thirst for the most important games. In 10 finals he's kicked 17 goals, including three in Brisbane's qualifying final win over Richmond less than a fortnight ago"
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) October 13, 2020
The form of Jarrod Berry was vital in our big win over the Tigers and didn’t go unoticed.
Throughout this season, Jarrod Berry has found himself handy for getting the footy just outside of stoppages, clearing all those contested situations.
The theme of this weeks match is the right place, the right time – and Jarrod Berry’s ability to kick the ball to find the right teammate or the right spot is bloody handy.
The stage is set for a gripping contest on Saturday. Hear from Jarrod Berry about his thoughts on the Preliminary Final 🎧
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) October 14, 2020
Ned Merrett-Murray is Neds resident Brisbane Lions nuffie.
The child of the ultimate Brisbane Lions parents, whose mother rattled tins to save Fitzroy and Dad dined with Christopher Skase at Carrara, Ned was a Brisbane Lions diehard from birth.
Ned constantly reminds his wife and kids that 2001, 02 and 03 Grand Final’s were the best days of his life and nothing compares to it.
Ned also believes that the best thing in Sydney is the airport departures lounge.
Ned never misses a game, training session, JLT, AFLW, NEAFL and Fitzroy Ammos match.
Ned lives in Woolongabba with his wife Leigh and twins Chris and Brad and pet fish Vossy, Browny and Blacky.