Massive game. I think Brisbane are the 3rd best side in the comp. Hawthorn have won a lot of close games, their position on the ladder doesn't reflect their form.

Possible team:

B: Lampard, Gillard

HB: Goldrick, S.Taylor, Chaplin

C: McNamara, Hanks, Paxman

HF: Fitzsimon, Harris, Wotherspoon

F: Bannan, Zanker

FOLL: Pearce, Hore, Heath

IC: O'Hehir, Ebert, Rigoni, Gall, Mackin

It's a big one, and I agree that Brisbane are better than Hawthorn.

Finally some options at the selection table!

We’re 0-2 for interstate games. Here’s to third time lucky. The lions are no slouches. Courtney Hodder is one to look out for. When she gets off the leash she’s hard to stop.

23 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Massive game. I think Brisbane are the 3rd best side in the comp. Hawthorn have won a lot of close games, their position on the ladder doesn't reflect their form.

Possible team:

B: Lampard, Gillard

HB: Goldrick, S.Taylor, Chaplin

C: McNamara, Hanks, Paxman

HF: Fitzsimon, Harris, Wotherspoon

F: Bannan, Zanker

FOLL: Pearce, Hore, Heath

IC: O'Hehir, Ebert, Rigoni, Gall, Mackin

Perhaps I am basing this on past performance but I have the order atm as Nth, Lions and then us. Hope to be proven wrong next weekend

A true test to see where we are at.

TBH though, Kangas are so far ahead of everyone else

Now that the injury list has come I'll do a new possible team:

B: Lampard, Gillard

HB: O'Hehir, S.Taylor, Chaplin

C: McNamara, Hanks, Paxman

HF: Fitzsimon, Harris, Wotherspoon

F: Bannan, Zanker

FOLL: Pearce, Hore, Heath

IC: Ebert, Campbell, Rigoni, Mackin, Mahony

Blaithin’s back! 🥳

Avg. games experience of teams as selected:

Melbourne: 46.1

Brisbane: 59.3

Only 2 Lions selected have played 26 or fewer games, compared to 7 Dees.

Melbourne's recent results against Brisbane:

2024: -18

2023: -25

2022B GF: +4

2022B R4: -15

2021: +4

2025 Top 5 score involvements:

Melb: Hore 76, Zanker 59, Hanks 55, Harris 47, Fitzsimon 43

Bris: Smith 50, Hodder 45, Dawes 42, Anderson 40, Davidson 38

2025 Top 5 rebound 50s:

Melb: Chaplin 54, Paxman 20, Hanks 18, McNamara 13, Colvin 12

Bris: Dunne 32, Campbell 30, Koenen 22, Ellenger 21, Anderson 16

And a little on the strength of QLD women's footy, while we're at it, courtesy of Sean Lawson:

More analysis on this topic by Sean here: https://thisweekinfootball.com/twif/round-23-2025/#aflw-state-s-of-origin

The team flies out tomorrow morning. There’ll be a captain’s run tomorrow afternoon at Brighton Homes Arena.

*Fun Fact: when playing interstate the team flies out the day before gameday, except for games in QLD or WA when they fly out two days before gameday. For the men, that is. The women fly out the day before gameday regardless of which state they’re playing in.

On 22/10/2025 at 13:27, WERRIDEE said:

Now that the injury list has come I'll do a new possible team:

B: Lampard, Gillard

HB: O'Hehir, S.Taylor, Chaplin

C: McNamara, Hanks, Paxman

HF: Fitzsimon, Harris, Wotherspoon

F: Bannan, Zanker

FOLL: Pearce, Hore, Heath

IC: Ebert, Campbell, Rigoni, Mackin, Mahony

I picked the side correctly, well done me! The coach knows what he's doing.

❤️💙 GAMEDAY! ❤️💙

The penultimate H&A match already. This season is flying by so quickly.

Before last week’s match we (the DA) were saying of the final three regular games, while 3-0 would be absolutely awesome, realistically we should expect, and be happy with, 2-1. Brisbane on their deck is quite the challenge. But it’s not impossible, so ima go with…

The Dees by *Tyla Hanks aka the ⭐️ (five points)

Brighton homes arena is a special place for us. We crashed Brisbane’s housewarming party on the big day in 2022 🏆 ❤️💙

GO OUT THERE & GIVE ‘EM HELL, DEES!!!

*I told Hanksy that any reference to her usually includes a star, a gem or a diamond. She said it’s a whole team thing but I could tell she loves it 🥰

Folks who are attending the match are welcome to approach our cheer squad for a flag or even to help with the banner. For banner duties you must be 13 or older, and wear closed-toe shoes. You also need to get there super early.

Entry through Gates 1, 2 and 6

Gates open at 4pm (AEST)

Big game tonight, probably decides whether we play Brisbane in the semi final (if we lose today) or Hawthorn (if we win).

Hopefully we can bring Brisbane back down to earth, should be a great game. Go Dees.👍❤️💙

Blaithin’s getting busy already

its hot in the kitchen

kate gone down back to settle them down?

some of our kicking is diabolical

gilliard hasn;t started well

I’m knackered just watching this 😅

slippery ball is hard to mark

I hope Davidson’s cr@pppy early form continues

we're very panicky

bears' around the ground skill is so much superior

we're lucky they've muffed their chances in front of goal

Phew! The pressure though!