STICKY STAKES IN IPSWICH by Meggs

Posted Thursday at 06:295 days

Two Cities

It’s the penultimate round of the home-and-away season, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Finals are looming, and the heat — literal and metaphorical — is rising.

Brisbane and Melbourne — two AFLW powerhouses — clash in a Saturday night blockbuster at Brighton Homes Arena, with top-four spots and finals positioning on the line. The Lions, despite sustained success and two premierships, have a losing record against the Demons, who have claimed six of the ten encounters, including their maiden 2022 premiership win at … Ipswich.

The forecast is warm and sticky: 24 degrees, gusty winds, and humidity pushing past 80%. Expect a pressure-cooker atmosphere both on and off the field.

The Match-up

This is a tale of two cities — Brisbane, the resilient northern fortress full of ferocious lions and tough nuts, and Melbourne, the southern juggernaut with its flow and connection. It’s grit versus grace, muscle versus movement.

Both teams have long-serving generals: Craig Starcevich (71% win rate) the Brisbane coach and Mick Stinear (72% win rate) for Melbourne.

Which master game plan will succeed on Saturday?

The Lions are missing key personnel: captain Bre Koenen is sidelined with a hamstring, and Courtney Hodder is under a fitness cloud. Nat Grider steps up to lead the side, while the Demons finally welcome back Blaithin Mackin, whose calf rehab couldn’t have been timed better.

Melbourne’s midfield, led by Tyla Hanks and Kate Hore, remains potent. And when our forward line fires, it’s as dangerous as any in the competition. Brisbane has forward power too — think Dakota Davidson and Taylor Smith — but Melbourne’s settled defence, led by Maeve Chaplin and Tahlia Gillard, should hold up.

Jade Ellenger was pleased to acknowledge Melbourne’s form: “They’re a really good side having a really good year.” Brisbane knows they’ll need to be sharp to match the Demons’ momentum.

Selection this week

Mick Stinear has a strong group of players available this week.

Blaithin Mackin and young Maggie Mahony will test but Sinead Goldrick (eye, 1 week), Georgia Gall (ankle, 1 week) and Grace Beasley (knee, 2 weeks) are not far away from availability.

Meggs anticipates Blaithin in for compatriot Goldie, and perhaps one other swap — Mahony or Dingo could be in the mix.

75 Game Milestones

Congratulations to inaugural Demon stalwart Sarah Lampard who reaches her 75th game this week. Lampy is recognised as a leader by her peers and like a good wine, improves with age.

Congrats also to Brisbane stars Jade Ellenger and Tahlia Hickie on their 75th games.

Meggs’ musings

This clash evokes the chaos and intensity of Dickens’ A Tale of Two Citie — storming of the Bastille, the September Massacres — scenes of upheaval, sacrifice, and resilience. Sydney Carton’s redemption arc mirrors the AFLW season’s grind: players giving their all, some falling, others rising.

Melbourne’s historical edge gives us some confidence, but Brisbane’s home-ground fans and finals-hardened core make them a formidable foe. Expect a bruising contest, full of momentum swings and emotional surges. Our Demons will need to withstand the Lions’ early fury and find their rhythm in the humidity.

Melbourne and Brisbane sit neck-and-neck as distant second favourites for the 2025 premiership and the result of this match will tilt the bookies one way or the other. Let’s hope it’s the Demons way.

This is not just a match — it’s a statement. Four points, second place and a home final hang in the balance.

Bring it all home Dees!

Tip: Melbourne by 5 points. Meggs is nervous already. Humidity, history, and high stakes — Dees to win a steamy thriller!

PS Out Flew Enza — the rumour mill has Zanks holding out on signing her Demon contract offer and heading west. Daisy picking? Or just smoke drifting across Gosch’s Paddock?

THE GAME

Round 11: Brisbane Lions vs Melbourne Saturday 25 October 2025 at 7:15pm (AEDT) at Brighton Homes Arena, Ipswich Yagara/Yugara

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall: Melbourne 6 wins | Brisbane 4 wins

At Ipswich: Melbourne 1 win | Brisbane 1 win

Coaches: Stinear 6 wins | Starcevich 4 wins

MEDIA COVERAGE - Foxtel, Kayo, Binge AFL Live Official Listen App

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Season 9, Round 2 – 7 September 2024 at Casey Fields

MELBOURNE 0.2.2 0.3.3 1.3.9 2.3.15

BRISBANE 2.0.12 2.0.12 3.3.21 5.3.33

GOALS

MELBOURNE Hore Pisano

BRISBANE Davidson 3 Smith R Svarc

BEST

MELBOURNE Hanks Mackin Goldrick Paxman

BRISBANE Anderson Boltz Koenen Davidson Dawes

LATE CHANGES

MELBOURNE Lauren Pearce (wrist) replaced in selected side by Alyssia Pisano

BRISBANE Nil

CROWD 1,534 at Casey Fields

Brisbane atoned for the previous week’s record loss to North Melbourne, comprehensively outplaying Melbourne for four quarters to win by 3 goals.

Brisbane Captain Bre Koenen kept Kate Hore to 10 possessions, but Kate never gave up, scored a late goal and laid a game-high 10 tackles. Lioness Ally Anderson racked up 43 possessions in a best-on-ground performance, Dakota Davidson kicked 3 goals while young Demon Alyssia Pisano scored her first AFLW goal. Sadly, the match performance was a harbinger of the season to come.

THIS WEEK’S TEAMS

MELBOURNE

B T. Gillard S. Taylor

HB M. Chaplin S. Lampard B. Mackin

C P. Paxman T. Hanks E. McNamara

HF A. Bannan E. Zanker M. Fitzsimon

F R. Wotherspoon T. Harris

FOLL L. Pearce S. Heath K. Hore

I/C G. Campbell L Ebert M. Mahony M. O’Hehir J. Rigoni

EMG G. Gall L. Johnson D. Taylor

IN B Mackin M Mahony

OUT S Goldrick (eye) L Johnson (omitted)