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Ins, Outs, and Milestones
| Team Changes | |
| IN | Jason Johannisen, Cooper Hynes, Luke Cleary |
| OUT | Oskar Baker, Laitham Vandermeer, Harvey Gallagher |
| NEW | [6] Cooper Hynes – Debut game |
| Milestones | - |
| FB | FB | FB |
| [24] Buku Khamis | [19] Liam Jones | [29] Lachlan Bramble |
| HB | HB | HB |
| [39] Jason Johannisen | [7] Rory Lobb | [31] Bailey Dale |
| C | C | C |
| [34] Bailey Williams | [21] Tom Liberatore | [42] Sam Davidson |
| HF | HF | HF |
| [6] Cooper Hynes | [33] Aaron Naughton | [9] Ryley Sanders |
| FF | FF | FF |
| [18] James O'Donnell | [10] Sam Darcy | [22] James Harmes |
| FOL | R | RR |
| [44] Tim English | [8] Matthew Kennedy | [20] Ed Richards |
| INTERCHANGE | ||
| [36] Luke Cleary | [26] Josh Dolan | [27] Joel Freijah |
| [30] Lachlan McNeil | [14] Rhylee West | |
| EMERGENCIES | ||
| [5] Jedd Busslinger | [12] Harvey Gallagher | [25] Caleb Poulter |
Brisbane Lions Lineup
| FB | FB | FB |
| [15] Dayne Zorko | [40] Jack Payne | [35] Ryan Lester |
| HB | HB | HB |
| [43] Noah Answerth | [31] Harris Andrews | [44] Darcy Wilmot |
| C | C | C |
| [3] Jaspa Fletcher | [33] Zac Bailey | [7] Jarrod Berry |
| HF | HF | HF |
| [23] Charlie Cameron | [30] Eric Hipwood | [6] Hugh McCluggage |
| FF | FF | FF |
| [16] Cam Rayner | [14] Sam Day | [13] Logan Morris |
| FOL | R | RR |
| [46] Oscar McInerney | [5] Josh Dunkley | [9] Lachie Neale |
| INTERCHANGE | ||
| [4] Callum Ah Chee | [8] Will Ashcroft | [10] Levi Ashcroft |
| [28] Will McLachlan | [38] Bruce Reville | |
| EMERGENCIES | ||
| [20] Sam Marshall | [27] Darcy Gardiner | [32] Darcy Fort |
HIstory
| Head-to-Head | Western Bulldogs | Brisbane |
| All time | 36 | 26 |
| At Venue | 0 | 0 |
| Last 10 matches | 6 wins | 4 wins |
| Year / Round | Western Bulldogs | Brisbane |
| 2024 R13 | 10.11 (71) | 17.12 (114) |
| 2023 R3 | 10.7 (67) | 7.11 (53) |
| 2022 R16 | 9.13 (67) | 16.12 (108) |
| 2021 SF | 11.13 (79) | 11.12 (78) |
| 2021 R4 | 10.13 (73) | 8.6 (54) |
| 2020 R11 | 11.6 (72) | 14.12 (96) |
| 2019 R20 | 11.14 (80) | 14.14 (98) |
| 2019 R8 | 13.14 (92) | 11.10 (76) |
| 2018 R8 | 16.11 (107) | 14.9 (93) |
| 2017 R20 | 14.19 (103) | 13.11 (89) |
Recent Form
Western Bulldogs
| 1 | North Melbourne | W | 16 |
| 2 | Collingwood | L | -6 |
| 3 | Carlton | W | 8 |
| 4 | Fremantle | L | -16 |
Brisbane Lions
| 1 | Sydney | W | 4 |
| 2 | West Coast | W | 19 |
| 3 | Geelong | W | 9 |
| 4 | Richmond | W | 28 |
Key Matchups
Lachie Neale - It seems every time we play the Lions Neale gathers dangerous possessions at will. He is such a damaging player the Dogs midfield are going to have to be on their defensive game to ensure he doesn't dominate like recent years. A hard tag works, and has done this year with James Jordan blanketing him for the Swans and Atkins running with him for the Cats. We tend not to do a hard tag, so I expect Kennedy and Liberatore to be tasked with a negative role on the brownlow medalist. Pivotal player, he dominates we are in trouble. In fact the entire midfeld battle is massive. They have a raft of mids that rotate through, Dunkley, McCluggage, Neale, Berry, Rayner, Ashcroft x 2, Bailey, Ah Chee, Reville. It's a formidable line.
Darcy v Andrews - Harris Andrews is one of the best key defenders in the game and goes a long way to ensuring the Lions control the air in defence. He usually takes the key forward for the opposition and will try and intercept to disrupt opposition entries. Last time we played he took Lobb who was forward so I expect that he will take Sam Darcy this week. If we can keep him to low intercept numbers and have him playing deep on Darcy often then that would be a big win for us. Very important matchup.
Cameron v ? - Country road take me... urgh. Charlie was back against the Eagles in rd 2 and whilst he hasn't reached any amazing heights so far this season he tends to always burn the dogs. Duryea usually takes him and has done an ok job in the past, this week with Duryea out I expect it might be a job for Bramble. Last time Bramble started on Lohmann so in his absense I think it's Cameron.
Lobb/Jones v Hipwood/Day -Last time we met - Hipwood kicked a bag against the now retired Alex Keath. Jones had Daniher. So it's a very different proposition this time with Lobb and Day involved for their respective sides. I expect that Jones will probably take Hipworth and Lobb to take Day but I'm not sure here. I think we can exploit these matchups they seem like on paper we are stronger. But, you know what you do with paper. Be interesting to see how they line up.
Half Backs - Wilmott and Zorko v Dale and JJ - I have to be honest I'm really surprised JJ is straight back in. He did look like he was moving well at training but that's not match conditions and I'm quite nervous he might break down. In the fitness staff we trust. Wilmot and Zorko are huge for the LIons and the way the like to transition from defence by foot. They also push up to the stoppage at times, especially Zorko, to try and create the outnumber. If our forwards can limit these two it will be a huge win.
Lions - tactical deep dive.
(Score source average 2025)
| Points From Centre Bounce | 2.5 |
| Points From Kick-In | 3.2 |
| Points From Stoppage | 39.0 |
| Points From Turnover | 49.8 |
| Points From Defensive Half | 40.5 |
| Points From Forward Half | 49.0 |
(Differential average 2025)
| Total Clearances | +8.0 |
| Contested Possessions | +9.0 |
| Ground Ball Gets | +3.5 |
| Post-Clearance Contested Possessions | +2.8 |
| Tackles | -0.2 |
Phases of Play
When they have it
Kick out from behind
The Lions tend to spread the field on kickout. They don't prefer a particular side and vary their targets. Zorko often kicks out. They usually go slow here, however sometimes they do play a fast transition often down the middle if options present.
Slow play defensive transition
They do this really well. It's a hallmark of their want to control possession out of defence and is used very often during games. They will use short kicks to uncontested targets, sometimes up to 5 or 6 before they find an exit and the ability to enter 50. Lohmann and Zorko are dangerous here as are mids pushing back to support.
Fast play defensive transition
Often get an outnumber to a contest and if they win CP they will slingshot out quickly. Very dangerous on the turnover and this is one of their major score sources this season.
Entering F50
Slow entries they get numbers back and are patient with their delivery. Usually look for a lead up target, if not available will go long to talls Day and Hipwood. Rayner is also an aerial target at times being strong overhead. Fast entries are generally long to space or one on one.
In Dispute
Centre Bounce
Primary ruck is McInerney, when he rests it's Sam Day. They rotate heavily through both the wings and the centre square and rarely have the same players in for two in a row. Dunkley and Neale are the most prominent.
Their default setup is to have Neale on the defensive side, Dunkley in a more neutral position and McCluggage on the attacking side being really aware of his opponent.
Half forwards push into lend support as do the half backs.
Wings are generally Reville and Berry although they rotate a few through here including Bailey at times.
Stoppages
Like to get numbers around the stoppage with Zorko and Rayner constant presences. Will have a player (usually Fletcher) on the defensive side covering that exit. Some teams come up to pick that player up, others don't.
When the opposition have it
Kick out from behind
Two words for the way the Lions defend this. OLD SCHOOL. Man on man for the most part, everyone on guard to make sure no one slips the net. They use this in many defensive scenarios and are really well drilled at guarding grass and a man.
Turnover game
The Lions are one of the best sides at forcing mistakes from the opposition. They have a fleet of mid-sized players that pressure the opposition into mistakes. It's their primary score source this season and a major part of their strategy.
Intercept marking
Basically - keep it away from Andrews. He's one of the best at reading where it's going and will take the risk of coming off his opponent to spoil. Opposition teams need to be very patient in with their entries and try and keep it away from Harris if possible.
In Summary : How They Structure Up
The Lions are a side that adapts their ball movement depending on the moment, balancing control and aggression.
- Kick-Ins
Zorko typically handles the restarting duties, with the Lions opting for width to stretch opposition zones. They don’t lock into a preferred flank and will occasionally switch into a quick central burst if the corridor opens. Most of the time, though, they’re happy to take the air out of the game with a slower build. - Controlled Defensive Rebound
One of their trademarks is patience when exiting the back half. They often chip short to unpressured options, sometimes stringing together five or six passes before shifting gears. Players like Lohmann and Zorko play key roles here, and they’re supported by midfielders working back to assist. - Fast Break from Defence
If they generate a turnover, especially with numbers around the contest, they become a threat in a flash. Their speed on the counter is a key scoring avenue, particularly when they surge through the middle with overlap handball. - Forward 50 Entries
When slowing things down, they wait for leads to open up—often targeting Rayner, Hipwood or Day. If those options aren’t available, they’ll send it in long to a contest. When the game opens up, they go fast and direct, aiming for one-on-ones or leading into space. - Centre Bounces
McInerney leads the ruck division, with Day taking spells when needed. Neale and Dunkley are their go-to mids, typically complemented by a rotating mix on the wings—Reville and Berry feature prominently. McCluggage tends to push forward, while high half-forwards and defenders often roll in to create extra numbers. - Stoppage Setups
They like to swarm stoppages, often bringing Zorko and Rayner into the thick of it. Someone—usually Fletcher—will sit off the back of the pack, covering the exit lane. Opponents are forced to choose whether to tag him or risk letting him roam free. - Defending Kick-Ins
They go back to basics with a disciplined man-on-man setup. Every player has a matchup and is accountable, making it difficult for teams to find clean exits. - Pressure and Turnovers
Brisbane thrives on forcing errors. Their mids and smalls close space quickly, applying pressure that leads directly to scoring chains. It’s been their most consistent weapon in 2025. - Intercept Defence
The golden rule: don’t let Harris Andrews dictate. He’s exceptional at reading incoming entries and isn’t afraid to peel off his opponent to affect the contest. The more structured and patient the opposition is with their forward entries, the less influence he has.
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