A New Chapter in the Rivalry
Chris Fagan, the coach of the Brisbane Lions, doesn’t believe that his team’s dominant performance against Geelong in last year’s grand final will have much impact when the two sides face off again at the Gabba. The match is set to take place on Thursday, marking the first encounter between the teams since their 47-point victory at the MCG in September of last year.
The game was closely contested at halftime, but the defending champions found a new level of intensity during the third term, ultimately securing a second consecutive premiership. Both teams enter this clash with identical records of 6-3, and they are separated by just four percentage points in the league table.
Since 2020, the two teams have met five times in finals games, with Geelong holding a 3-2 advantage in those encounters. Overall, the Cats have a 26-21 lead in all meetings between the sides.
Fagan acknowledged that the one-sided nature of the grand final might not significantly influence the narrative of their rivalry. “Three weeks earlier we got our pants pulled down and each time we play anything can happen … one result doesn’t indicate the next,” he said when asked about the impact of the previous match.
“If we play our best footy we’re a chance to beat them and they’d think the same way. The grand final was a long time ago and you move on pretty quickly. For us it’s just like, whenever you play Geelong it’s a healthy rivalry built out of respect.”
Injury Concerns and Team Dynamics
Several key players for the Brisbane Lions are currently dealing with injuries ahead of the upcoming match. Jarrod Berry, a star player for the Lions, attempted to prove his fitness at Tuesday’s training session, but he is still recovering from a calf injury. Similarly, experienced defender Darcy Gardiner, who has been sidelined due to a shoulder issue, also tried to demonstrate his readiness.
However, Lincoln McCarthy, who suffered a hamstring injury during Friday’s win over Carlton, pulled up sore after the match and will not be available for the upcoming clash. Ty Gallop is also dealing with a hamstring issue, despite having recovered from a concussion that kept him out of the previous game against the Blues.
Noah Answerth remains sidelined as well, as doctors continue to monitor his condition. The tough-as-nails defender has been plagued by a series of injuries this season and will not return until he receives clearance from medical professionals.
Fagan expressed a positive outlook regarding the challenges posed by the team’s injury list. “In the long run it’s actually good for your list to be tested, particularly early in the year,” he said, highlighting the potential benefits of facing such challenges early in the season.
