The finals race has never been more fierce as the Lions and Giants battle it out at the Gabba in search of a top four spot.
Brisbane (13-6-1, 125.1%) have won nine games on the trot to storm into premiership favouritism as they continue their quest for a flag under coach Chris Fagan.
Meanwhile, GWS (13-7, 111.2%) have won five games in a row to surge into the top four, but must maintain the rage with a tricky few weeks remaining.
The Giants will be without ruck Kieren Briggs, but do regain star midfielder Josh Kelly. Joe Fonti has omitted and Lachlan Keefe is set to shoulder the ruck duties.
Brisbane have brought Darragh Joyce in for Bruce Reville.
The match gets underway at 1:45pm AEST at the Gabba.
Watch it live on Fox Footy, streaming on Kayo and via Hubbl from 1:30pm AEST.
BRISBANE v GWS - LIVE UPDATES
There were no late changes at the Gabba, with Jaxon Prior (Lions) and Conor Stone (Giants) the respective substitutes.
“Looks like Toby Bedford’s going to Lachie Neale (in a tagging role),” Brisbane legend Jonathan Brown said on Fox Footy during the opening minutes.
Joe Daniher and Cameron Rayner missed the Lions’ opening two shots on goal with varying difficulty, while the Giants’ Aaron Cadman registered his side’s first score - also a behind.
Daniher was the one to break the goal deadlock though, turning his opponent inside out before (just) soccering the ball through on the goal line.
And a minute later, ruck Oscar McInerney kicked his seventh goal of 2024 to give the Lions an early 13-point lead.
Similar to McInerney moments earlier, young gun Logan Morris took a contested mark inside 50 before converting truly - as the Lions again converted their around-the-ground dominance with a goal.
Two consecutive behinds for the home side prevented the Giants from being completely blown out in the first half of the opening term.
“The Lions have been liquorice all-sorts in front of goal,” Fox Footy commentator Anthony Hudson said on call.
Giants Ruckman Briggs Out With Shoulder Soreness
GWS will be without one of their big guns for their AFL top-four clash with the Brisbane Lions, with star ruck Kieren Briggs ruled out due to soreness.
Briggs was seen training apart from teammates on Thursday ahead of Saturday's match at the Gabba, with coach Adam Kingsley confirming the ruckman was struggling.
“Briggsy is managing some shoulder stuff so he's probably unlikely this week at this point in time,” Kingsley said on Thursday morning, just hours his omission was confirmed with the release of the Giants' team.
Kingsley expects Briggs to miss just one game.
Key forward and backup ruckman Lachlan Keeffe will slot in for Briggs, with Braydon Preuss out for the season with a back injury.
It will be Keeffe's first AFL match this season after playing 14 games last year.
The 34-year-old will do battle with Brisbane's Oscar McInerney, who is fifth in the league for hitouts (617) after his 36 in their 85-point win against St Kilda last round.
“We've had a few injuries with our ruck stocks so it feels like Keeffe is the next man in and he's more than capable,” Kingsley said.
“He played in the ruck last week at VFL level and did quite well so he's one of these guys that adapts pretty quickly.
“We're pretty comfortable that he can mix it with a really good ruckman up there in McInerney.
“There'll be times where Lachie has good moments. There'll be times where McInerney has good moments.
“That's the nature of good players going at it.”
Giants Turn to Olympic Stories for Inspiration
While GWS defender Jack Buckley’s partner, Celeste Mucci, is competing in the athletics in Paris, Kingsley said the ability to focus on the achievements of others was also a good distraction at a tough part of the season.
“Well, we’ve used them, certainly some great stories, both this Olympics and former past Olympics,” he said.
“It’s talk about that mental fatigue that you can generate any sense of relief from that. I think you use those opportunities and certainly the Olympics is providing that at the moment.
“I love the Duncan Armstrong story of 1988, I think that was just a brilliant story, so we’ve spoken about that. We’ve admired him, and there’s been a few.”
Brisbane Lions Eyeing Top Two Spot in AFL
Chris Fagan's men have surged to the top of premiership betting markets and will start favourites against fellow contenders GWS at the Gabba on Saturday.
But the clash serves as a timely reminder to the Lions that they can't take their eyes off the ball.
The turnaround since then has been remarkable, with Brisbane losing just one of their past 13 games and rattling off nine consecutive wins.
“We're feeling pretty confident,” Lions defender Brandon Starcevich told AAP.
“When that streak started we were sort of hanging in the balance and we just kept that mentality going that we've got nothing to lose.
“We've just got to keep that rolling, but there's been no easy games the whole year and the Giants are going really well.
“That 'Orange Tsunami' as they like to call it - where they just start flicking the ball and moving it quickly from one end to the other - that's what we've got to stop.”
The Lions could match the second-longest winning streak in club history - accounting for Brisbane Bears, Fitzroy and post-merger records - with victory over GWS.
It would also be another step towards a top-two finish, possibly a minor premiership, and the chance to enjoy home-ground advantage in their first two finals.
“Home finals makes the world of difference, so if we can lock that in it sets us up really well,” Starcevich said.
“But it's one week at a time at the moment.
“That belief and playing with nothing to lose is that same mentality that we'll roll with for the rest of the year.”
Starcevich was central to Brisbane's physical approach in last week's 85-point thrashing of St Kilda, blunting dangerous goal-sneak Jack Higgins.
The 25-year-old now has his eye on another battle with GWS captain and match-winner Toby Greene.
“It's a good match-up and he's one of the best in the comp so you always look forward to it,” Starcevich said.
“You just can't switch off against Toby.
“One minute he's leading up and the footy and if he doesn't get used he's popping out the back with space and time to make you pay.
“And he can kick them from just about anywhere, so you've got to be switched on for four quarters.”
Giants’ Josh Kelly Returns From Injury
Giants vice-captain Josh Kelly is back after five weeks out with a calf injury, while veteran Lachlan Keefe will play his first game of the season.
Keefe replaces ruckman Kieren Briggs, who has been managed.
Looking Ahead to Brisbane vs. GWS
The clash between Brisbane and GWS is a must-watch for AFL fans. The Lions are in top form, and the Giants are looking to make a late run for the finals. It will be a tight contest, but the Lions are looking to turn their “dress rehearsal” into a statement win.
A top four clash awaits as Brisbane prepare to host GWS on Saturday afternoon.
While there is plenty on the line in terms of seeding for the finals, current Coleman Medal leader Jesse Hogan will also have his eyes on some more goals.
Where To Watch Brisbane vs GWS
This match, and every match across the home-and-away season, will be available for live streaming and replay on Kayo Sports.
Key Players To Watch
Here are a few key players to watch in this crucial matchup:
- Lachie Neale (Brisbane): Two-time Brownlow Medalist Neale is a dominant force in the midfield, and his performance will be key to the Lions’ success.
- Toby Greene (GWS): Greene is one of the most dangerous players in the competition, and he'll be looking to make a big impact on the game.
- Oscar McInerney (Brisbane): McInerney is a powerful ruckman who will be a key matchup against the Giants’ backup ruckman Lachlan Keeffe.
- Lachlan Keeffe (GWS): Keeffe will be under pressure to perform in his first game of the season.
Predictions
The Lions are the favorites to win this game, but the Giants are more than capable of causing an upset. If the Giants can limit the impact of Lachie Neale and find a way to score consistently, they'll be in with a chance.
Final Thoughts
The clash between Brisbane and GWS is a must-see for AFL fans. The Lions are looking to continue their winning streak and solidify their position in the top four, while the Giants are looking for a big win to stay in the hunt for a finals berth. It's going to be a close one. The Giants’ Olympic inspiration and the Lions’ determination to secure a top-two finish set the stage for an intense and exciting matchup.
We will have to see if these two teams live up to the hype in a clash that could have major ramifications for the 2024 AFL season. Stay tuned for all the updates.
