{"id":77912,"date":"2025-09-24T15:17:41","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T05:17:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=77912"},"modified":"2026-07-03T10:29:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T00:29:42","slug":"guywholikessports-2025-afl-grand-final-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2025\/09\/guywholikessports-2025-afl-grand-final-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"GuyWhoLikesSport&#8217;s 2025 AFL Grand Final Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>We are finally at the last Saturday in September, and the game is between the two sides with probably the highest upside in the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Cats are probably the defining team of the first 25 years of the century, and are as close to the AFL can get to a Patriots-style dynasty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Business as usual for the Cats, but is it time for another premiership? \ud83c\udfc6 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/d1de0hLU4B\">pic.twitter.com\/d1de0hLU4B<\/a><\/p>&mdash; AFL (@AFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFL\/status\/1963825674369810475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 5, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>They have made wholesale list and game style changes over the quarter century, but they\u2019ve barely been bad for a single season over the last 20 or so years and have four premierships for their troubles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2020, the Cats were a control team with players in defined roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just five years later, they\u2019re as close to a positionless footy team as I\u2019ve ever seen who thrive on run and chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Mark Blicavs is still getting it done in any role at 34 \ud83d\udc4f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/YyvCPnUPSM\">pic.twitter.com\/YyvCPnUPSM<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Triple M Footy (@triplemfooty) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/triplemfooty\/status\/1964610591508644168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 7, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>They did all that while just missing the finals once over the five-year period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s the definition of rebuilding on the run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brisbane have just rebuilt<a>, they were a disgrace of a club a decade ago and who saw a mass exodus of talent before Chris Fagan took over in 2017.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">2013 AFL Trade Rewind <br><br>West Coast \u27a1\ufe0f Elliot Yeo<br>Brisbane \u27a1\ufe0f (Pick 28) Lewis Taylor<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFL<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLTrades?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLTrades<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3sxIEzoWoC\">pic.twitter.com\/3sxIEzoWoC<\/a><\/p>&mdash; aflratings.com.au (@aflratings) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/aflratings\/status\/917718903886774273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 10, 2017<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Since then, their progress upward has been uncommonly linear as they have rebuilt the club into a modern powerhouse that\u2019s now playing in their third consecutive Grand Final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the journey, they\u2019ve prioritised essentially the same things, and have iterated slightly on their overarching principles on contest, ball control, and set up behind the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s Avon v Stringer. It\u2019s revolution v evolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Wire - Avon and Stringer balcony scene\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3OLUGEr1KwI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For the preview, I\u2019ve laid out some stats that I see as instructive for both sides at the top of each section of the preview and then there\u2019s a write up on each<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When the ball is in Geelong\u2019s half<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stats that matter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Geelong<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2<sup>nd<\/sup> in time in forward half<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1<sup>st<\/sup> in scores from front half<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1<sup>st<\/sup> in scores from turnover<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1<sup>st<\/sup> in marks inside 50<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2<sup>nd<\/sup> in F50 ground ball gets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2<sup>nd<\/sup> in tackles inside 50<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>12<sup>th<\/sup> at defending scores from the back half<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>11<sup>th<\/sup> at defending transition from the defensive half to a score<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brisbane<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gave up the 4<sup>th<\/sup> fewest points from the front half<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gave up the 4<sup>th<\/sup> fewest points from turnover<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>5<sup>th<\/sup> at scoring from the back half<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3<sup>rd<\/sup> at transitioning from defensive half to a score<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>7<sup>th<\/sup> in metres gained<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>12<sup>th<\/sup> in metres gained per disposal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This area of the game is probably Brisbane\u2019s best chance to win it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a>The Cats are the best chaos team in the AFL, but Brisbane\u2019s ball control is generally a good antidote to chaos.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The last Rayner goal in the third quarter came after 75 (!) seconds of uninterrupted Brisbane possession &#8211; eight kicks, eight marks. Control \u2705 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLPiesLions?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLPiesLions<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ioL5zG5WF0\">pic.twitter.com\/ioL5zG5WF0<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Ricky Mangidis (@rickm18) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rickm18\/status\/1969332366976938290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 20, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>They move the ball cleanly by foot from the back half and are able to control games from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While they are now far riskier with their ball movement than they were four years ago, always hunting corridor out of defence, players like Zorko, Wilmot and Fletcher are such good ball users that they can still control the game even with the dialled up aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Dayne Zorko seals the Lions&#39; spot in a third-straight Toyota AFL Grand Final \ud83d\ude4c<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Toyota_Aus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Toyota_Aus<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLFinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLFinals<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/HsGeUk6H16\">pic.twitter.com\/HsGeUk6H16<\/a><\/p>&mdash; AFL (@AFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFL\/status\/1969340445789429933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 20, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Those three, especially Zorko, are why Brisbane is so good at moving the ball from the defensive half to a score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s terrific in theory. But in the qualifying final, Geelong\u2019s chaos prevailed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a>The Cats kicked 61 points from the front half and 62 from turnover, both among Brisbane\u2019s three worst games for the year in each stat.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The work from Mannagh \ud83d\udd25<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLCatsLions?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLCatsLions<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/KkdgjNANBV\">pic.twitter.com\/KkdgjNANBV<\/a><\/p>&mdash; 7AFL (@7AFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/7AFL\/status\/1963915792115773532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 5, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a bit <em>No Country for Old Men <\/em>where Anton Chigurh brought terrifying chaos to an otherwise under control little town and won because of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"No Country for Old Men (2007) | The Ending Scene | 1080p\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RVpiOL3SEzg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That feels more like exception than rule, though, the Cats were scalding in that game, and Brisbane was flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If Geelong enters 50 like they did against Collingwood, with high bomb entries trying to get their smalls involved, Harris Andrews will gobble them up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From there, Brisbane should be able to get their kicking game going like they did in Round 15 against Geelong when they won by 41 points and took 110 marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In that game they kicked 59 points from the back half and 66 off mostly defensive half turnovers that became transition situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Geelong Cats v Brisbane Lions Highlights | Round 15, 2025 | AFL\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Y73c_SfhK8g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Geelong\u2019s high, aggressive defence can be beaten as we saw in that game, and as we can see in their mediocre defensive transition numbers, with a mixture of control and aggression with ball use from the back half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Lions have shown they can do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When the ball is in Brisbane\u2019s half<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stats that matter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brisbane<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>7<sup>th<\/sup> in time in forward half<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>5<sup>th<\/sup> in scores from front half<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>4<sup>th<\/sup> in scores from turnover<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>7<sup>th<\/sup> in marks inside 50<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3<sup>rd<\/sup> in F50 ground ball gets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6<sup>th<\/sup> in tackles inside 50<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>10<sup>th<\/sup> at defending scores from back half<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>7<sup>th<\/sup> at defending transition from defensive half to a score<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Geelong<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gave up the 1<sup>st<\/sup> fewest points from the front half<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gave up the 5<sup>th<\/sup> fewest points from turnover<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2<sup>nd<\/sup> at scoring from the back half<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2<sup>nd<\/sup> at transitioning the ball from defensive half to a score<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2<sup>nd<\/sup> in metres gained<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2<sup>nd<\/sup> in metres gained per disposal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Lions aren\u2019t as good this season as they were last and nowhere is that clearer than their front half game. Last year they were second in time in forward half, scores from turnover and scores from the front half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While they\u2019re still good, like Sollozzo said, the Don is slippin\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Godfather I   Sollozzo talks with Tom Hagen\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pESAyJr66QE?start=61&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Brisbane is going to have real trouble keeping up with Geelong if they can\u2019t lock the ball in with structure when the ball is in their front half, which was their strength last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a>The Cats are clearly the most athletic team in the AFL and they know it.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They have a team of guys that can run the farthest and kick it the longest and that\u2019s what they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">OLLIE DEMPSEY THAT IS INCREDIBLE \ud83e\udd29 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/U6mpKJMcG7\">pic.twitter.com\/U6mpKJMcG7<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GeelongCats\/status\/1963934676718145623?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 5, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That scintillating, hyper aggressive footy is also proof that attack is the best form of defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They leave 50 unscientifically but they\u2019re so athletic and aggressive that it doesn\u2019t matter and they don\u2019t get scored against from their own front half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where Harris Andrews v likely Shannon Neale becomes crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Andrews is the anchor of a structure that needs to generate strong time in forward half because their pressure is good but not elite, especially against the Geelong thorougbreds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If they can chop off the chaotic Geelong exits, the Lions have a strong chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the Lions can have patches where they control territory, their key and mid-sized forwards should be able to exploit an inexperienced Geelong backline, missing Tom Stewart by working in tandem to create space for one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Cal Ah Chee dedicates his first goal to his late grandfather \u2764\ufe0f<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLFinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLFinals<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kNYEuiYmzU\">pic.twitter.com\/kNYEuiYmzU<\/a><\/p>&mdash; AFL (@AFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFL\/status\/1966802340708540672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 13, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>They should also, with the way that they tend to enter 50, be able to neutralise whoever Geelong generates as the loose defender like Hawthorn did in the first quarter against Geelong last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of that is easier said than done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When the ball is in dispute<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Geelong<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>7<sup>th<\/sup> in contested ball<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>9<sup>th<\/sup> at clearance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>10<sup>th<\/sup> at clearance differential<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2<sup>nd<\/sup> at scores from stoppage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>14<sup>th<\/sup> at getting first possession<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>11<sup>th<\/sup> at turning first possession into a clearance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>15<sup>th<\/sup> in stopping the opponent getting first possessions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1<sup>st<\/sup> in stopping opponent first possession from becoming a clearance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brisbane<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>9<sup>th<\/sup> in contested ball<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2<sup>nd<\/sup> at clearance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2<sup>nd<\/sup> at clearance differential<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>8<sup>th<\/sup> at scores from stoppage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>4<sup>th<\/sup> at getting first possession<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2<sup>nd<\/sup> at turning first possession into a clearance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>7<sup>th<\/sup> in stopping the opponent getting first possession<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>5<sup>th<\/sup> at stopping first possession from becoming a clearance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the Lachie Neale portion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a>I\u2019ll come out on front street and say it: I like that they will play Lachie Neale.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Lachie Neale will play in the Grand Final, per Caroline Wilson \ud83e\udd2f<br><br>Stream The Agenda Setters \ud83d\udc49 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/M9q2CvkZIN\">https:\/\/t.co\/M9q2CvkZIN<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Ca2wvARWUk\">pic.twitter.com\/Ca2wvARWUk<\/a><\/p>&mdash; 7AFL (@7AFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/7AFL\/status\/1970410517425766403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 23, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Brisbane, in my view, is unlikely to win this game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But they could win the game from midfield in addition to trying to control the ball against Geelong as they leave D50, and Neale is crucial to the midfield equation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brisbane has more attacking weapons than Geelong in midfield with Ashcroft(s), Dunkley, Bailey, McLuggage, Bailey etc and could win the game from midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Geelong, on the other hand, has basically punted on having genuine midfielders outside of Tom Atkins because of the positionless revolution they\u2019re trying to usher into the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They do have, however, tools to blunt opposition weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If Neale plays, even at 80% he can take one of those up because it\u2019s impossible to let a dual Brownlow medallist do what he wants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I think if Neale plays, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MichaelWhiting\/status\/1970252430538600483\">Mullin goes to McLuggage again<\/a>, O\u2019Connor probably to Will Ashcroft or Zac Bailey and Atkins plays on the key inside mid which would be Neale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Hugh McCluggage on his potential match-up with Oisin Mullin.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/N5DpAVLGk1\">https:\/\/t.co\/N5DpAVLGk1<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Michael Whiting (@MichaelWhiting) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MichaelWhiting\/status\/1970252430538600483?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 22, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That would leave Dunkley, Bailey or Will Ashcroft, and Levi Ashcroft away from Geelong\u2019s trio of elite stoppers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">THIS GAME \ud83e\udd2f<br><br>Will Ashcroft with the outrageous soccer finish through traffic!<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLFinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLFinals<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QFLfx7DCKH\">pic.twitter.com\/QFLfx7DCKH<\/a><\/p>&mdash; AFL (@AFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFL\/status\/1969329401515962482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 20, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That alone is worth it to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Neale\u2019s presence knocks everyone else down a peg on the opposition to do list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond that, Neale\u2019s skillset would be crucial to Brisbane\u2019s success in this game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The clearance battle will be more about efficiency than anything on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Lachie Neale did the entire session with his Brisbane teammates this morning. More soon on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFLcomau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@AFLcomau<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ronKDsp53w\">pic.twitter.com\/ronKDsp53w<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Michael Whiting (@MichaelWhiting) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MichaelWhiting\/status\/1970292063444058554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 23, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Cats are happy to give up first possession because they junk up stoppages so effectively, which gives them the ability to both burn teams on the spread from stoppage, and to simply stop opposition teams from using that first possession and turning it into clearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Neale, even at 32, was the eighth best first possession player in footy and, crucially, the eighth best player at turning first possessions into clearances among midfielders who averaged more than 6 clearances a game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Lachie Neale spent 129:16 time on ground out of a possible 136:42, didn\u2019t come off the ground once in the second half and still made this run down tackle look easy with 40 seconds left, what an athlete \ud83d\udc51 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLFinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLFinals<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/qoX4CznevR\">pic.twitter.com\/qoX4CznevR<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Hayden (@haydenjs94) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/haydenjs94\/status\/1566326382942371840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 4, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other side, Geelong have all those defensive weapons essentially so they can let every other vaguely midfield player play an unaccountable game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a>Smith, Holmes, and Dempsey all have virtually no defensive responsibility and regularly cheat forward on the spread and damage teams that way.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Max Holmes will finally get his chance to run out on Grand Final day \ud83e\udd70<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLFinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLFinals<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3cepPilhRD\">pic.twitter.com\/3cepPilhRD<\/a><\/p>&mdash; AFL (@AFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFL\/status\/1969016858452890084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 19, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>But that, again, is why I\u2019d pick Neale. His efficiency in close quarters can punish the unaccountable way that so many of their players play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, Geelong can run off Neale and try and get him out of congestion, but they\u2019re going to win on the spread anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They just destroyed the younger and more athletic Hawthorn there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;Take a photo of that one&quot; \ud83d\udcf8 <br>Bailey Smith gets his prelim final goal \ud83e\udd2b<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLCatsHawks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLCatsHawks<\/a><br><br>New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1 \ud83d\udc49 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vMoOSiCi7B\">https:\/\/t.co\/vMoOSiCi7B<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Mf3klD76B0\">pic.twitter.com\/Mf3klD76B0<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Kayo Sports (@kayosports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kayosports\/status\/1969017388965192048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 19, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Picking Neale is a way to strengthen an area of already relative strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Tip: Geelong is too athletic and powerful for Brisbane and win by 35 points.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Max Holmes for the Norm Smith.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>NOTE: I\u2019m 0-2 in Brisbane Grand Final picks so what do I know?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We are finally at the last Saturday in September, and the game is between the two sides with probably the highest upside in the competition. The Cats are probably the defining team of the first 25 years of the century, and are as close to the AFL can get to a Patriots-style dynasty. Business as usual for the Cats, but is it time for another premiership? \ud83c\udfc6 pic.twitter.com\/d1de0hLU4B&mdash; AFL (@AFL) September 5, 2025 They have made wholesale list and game style changes over the quarter century, but they\u2019ve barely been bad for a single season over the last 20 or&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":77932,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,8298,598,344],"tags":[29,8260],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-77912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australian-rules","category-guywholikessport","category-special-interest","category-sports","tag-afl","tag-guywholikessport"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":"","md_tip_date_end":"","md_market_url":"","tip_date":"24\/09\/2025","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77912"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77912\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87746,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77912\/revisions\/87746"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77932"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77912"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=77912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}