Brisbane had a path laid out for them to book a home preliminary final on the way to a fourth straight grand final when they locked in third spot and set up a qualifying final against an embattled Sydney. But the two-time reigning premiers were blown off course as they were a step off the pace from the early exchanges then outworked by the inspired Swans in a humbling defeat.
The Lions walked the same tightrope 12 months ago when they were hammered by the Cats before bouncing back in a semi-final against the rising Suns. Coach Chris Fagan’s side went on to take the long road to success across four finals last year – just as they had done in 2024 – to win a second consecutive premiership. They will now need to do the same again to claim a three-peat.
