Brisbane has rolled the dice on fitness and firepower by recalling dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale for Saturday’s AFL Grand Final against Geelong at the MCG. The Lions’ inspirational midfielder has overcome a calf injury that was tipped to keep him out for more than a month. Instead, he will line up in the biggest game of the year, providing Brisbane with a vital boost in contested ball and leadership.
Yet the comeback comes at a heavy cost. Midfield teammate Jarrod Berry, a critical link in Brisbane’s engine room, will not take the field after re-injuring his shoulder in last week’s preliminary final. For the second time in five weeks, Berry’s body has given way, robbing the Lions of one of their most reliable contributors on the eve of football’s ultimate stage.
On the other side, Geelong has made a decisive call of its own. With All-Australian defender Tom Stewart still sidelined in concussion protocols, coach Chris Scott has turned to Rhys Stanley to fill the void. Stanley, usually the Cats’ first-choice ruck, will shoulder responsibility as both a structural lynchpin and a versatile tall option capable of covering multiple roles. His selection allows Mark Blicavs to be deployed strategically, either as a defensive stopper on Brisbane’s Harris Andrews or as a flexible utility across the ground.
Neale’s Remarkable Return
Few expected Neale to recover in time. A calf strain of his severity is usually a four-to-six-week setback, but medical staff and Neale’s own determination flipped the timeline. After pushing through an intense session at Princes Park on Thursday, he proved his readiness. Brisbane’s selectors were satisfied he could not only run out the game but influence it in typical Neale fashion.
Neale’s inclusion is both tactical and symbolic. Brisbane will bank on his clearance work, his ability to distribute under pressure, and his knack for lifting teammates in high-stakes contests. Yet risks remain. The pace and intensity of a grand final can push the limits of even the fittest players. For Neale, managing his rotations and minimizing exposure to repeated high-speed efforts may be crucial.
Berry’s Heartbreak
Berry’s absence cuts deep for Brisbane. His role as a two-way runner, capable of shutting down opponents while still impacting offensively, has been pivotal in the Lions’ rise. Missing a second grand final in two years due to injury—after Oscar McInerney’s absence in 2024 for similar reasons—highlights the cruel unpredictability of September football.
For Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, the challenge is redistributing Berry’s workload. Will Ashcroft, returning from a long-term knee injury earlier this year, shoulders added responsibility alongside brother Levi Ashcroft in an unprecedented grand final sibling pairing. Josh Dunkley will also be asked to absorb more defensive assignments in the midfield, while Hugh McCluggage becomes the central link between inside ball winners and outside runners.
Cats Banking on Stanley
For Geelong, the decision to back Stanley reflects both necessity and opportunity. Stewart’s absence leaves a gaping hole in the Cats’ defence. Stanley, fresh off overcoming hamstring concerns, offers stability at stoppages and gives Geelong the chance to reconfigure their structure. His ability to compete with Brisbane’s rucks Darcy Fort and Oscar McInerney (named on the extended bench but likely to feature) may shape momentum around the contest.
Jed Bews, Ollie Henry, and Mitch Knevitt were considered but ultimately named as emergencies. The final call underscores the Cats’ intent to win aerial contests and deny Brisbane clean forward entries.
Matchups That Matter
- Blicavs vs. Harris Andrews
Andrews’ intercept marking is Brisbane’s defensive cornerstone. Blicavs could be tasked with neutralizing him, either by bodying up or dragging him higher up the ground to disrupt Brisbane’s defensive setup. - Dangerfield’s Forward Role
Patrick Dangerfield has been named at full forward, a position shift that signals Geelong’s intent to exploit mismatches. His physicality could stretch Brisbane’s defenders, forcing them to reshuffle. - Charlie Cameron vs. De Koning
Charlie Cameron’s speed and finishing ability will test Geelong’s defence. Sam De Koning is likely to take the match-up, setting the stage for one of the game’s defining battles.
The Emotional Undercurrent
Both clubs enter the grand final with storylines of resilience and loss. For Brisbane, Neale’s return evokes a narrative of grit, while Berry’s absence symbolizes heartbreak. Geelong, meanwhile, will seek to rally around Stewart’s unavailability, leaning on collective adaptability.
Fans will also note the symbolic torch-passing between eras. Brisbane’s veterans like Dayne Zorko and Daniel Rich anchor a side rich in youthful exuberance from the Ashcroft brothers, Cam Rayner, and Jaspa Fletcher. Geelong balances youth and experience with Ollie Dempsey, Jhye Clark, and Tanner Bruhn complementing stalwarts like Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron.
Tactical X-Factors
- Geelong’s Half-Back Drive: Without Stewart, the Cats will rely heavily on Zach Guthrie and Mark O’Connor to generate rebound from half-back.
- Brisbane’s Pressure Forwards: Cam Rayner, Zac Bailey, and Charlie Cameron can apply scoreboard pressure quickly, testing Geelong’s defensive depth.
- Midfield Depth: While Neale returns, Brisbane’s midfield depth will be scrutinized. The Cats may attempt to exploit Berry’s absence with rotations through Gryan Miers and Max Holmes.
Final Teams
Geelong Cats
- Backs: C. O’Sullivan, S. De Koning, J. Henry
- Half-Backs: M. O’Connor, Z. Guthrie, L. Humphries
- Centres: G. Miers, M. Holmes, O. Dempsey
- Half-Forwards: B. Close, S. Mannagh, T. Stengle
- Forwards: S. Neale, J. Cameron, P. Dangerfield (c)
- Followers: R. Stanley, B. Smith, T. Atkins
- Interchange: J. Bowes, O. Mullin, M. Blicavs, J. Martin, J. Clark
- Emergencies: M. Knevitt, J. Bews, O. Henry
- In: R. Stanley
- Out: T. Stewart (concussion)
Brisbane Lions
- Backs: D. Zorko, D. Gardiner, R. Lester
- Half-Backs: D. Wilmot, H. Andrews (c), B. Starcevich
- Centres: H. McCluggage, L. Neale, L. Ashcroft
- Half-Forwards: C. Cameron, T. Gallop, Z. Bailey
- Forwards: C. Rayner, L. Morris, C. Ah Chee
- Followers: D. Fort, J. Dunkley, W. Ashcroft
- Interchange: K. Lohmann, J. Fletcher, S. Marshall, B. Reville, O. McInerney
- Emergencies: S. Day, J. Tunstill, D. Joyce
- In: L. Neale
- Out: J. Berry (shoulder)
What’s at Stake
For Brisbane, a second consecutive premiership cements a dynasty and validates years of near-misses. For Geelong, victory represents resurgence after regenerating its list and weathering the loss of key figures. Both clubs know that grand finals are legacies in motion—moments that define careers and reshape club histories.
Saturday’s clash promises theatre, strategy, and drama in equal measure. With Neale back in the spotlight and Stanley handed the weight of expectation, the 2025 AFL Grand Final will be decided not just by talent, but by resilience, adaptability, and seizing moments under pressure.
