AFL Finals 2025: Essential Highlights and Strategic Insights

Reigning Premiers Brisbane flexed their muscles with a dominant display in the biggest ever Q-Clash, as they put away their fierce cross-town rivals Gold Coast.

It means that they have booked their place in a fourth straight prelim and a chance of going back-to-back for the first time since the famous three-peat in the early 2000s.

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However, they had to overcome a sluggish start, as it was the visitors, playing in their first-ever finals series, that came out quickly of the blocks at a sold-out Gabba.

All-Australian Ben King (pictured below) opened the scoring, inside two minutes, and in doing so wrote his name in the Suns’ history book as the club’s highest ever goalkicker (254).

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In the second quarter, however, the hosts started to take control and gain momentum. They went into the break ahead, and on all the other previous 18 occasions that was the case, then went on to win; this was no different.

Kai Lohmann (pictured below), sporting a new shaved head look, from his normally long blond hair, after a trip to the barber’s went wrong, and Zach Bailey each scored three goals as the Lions really pulled clear in the second half and cantered to a 53-point triumph.

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Whilst Hugh McCluggage, game-high ten clearances, and Will Ashcroft, a game and equal career-high 17 contested possessions, were dominant in the midfield as they both stepped up in the absence of 2xBrownlow Medallist Lachie Neal (calf injury).

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Speaking in his presser, victorious coach Chris Fagan (pictured above) said, “It was a great response after last week, they keep responding this group. They’re terrific in that way.”

“We were all a bit disappointed with what happened last week. Geelong played super well, but we felt like we could do better than what we did last week.”

He continued, “I’m definitely proud of the group. It’s hard to make finals after you win a premiership, let alone get back to a preliminary final.”

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Opposite number and three-time Premiership coach Damien Hardwick (pictured above) conceded, “We’re probably a good side, we’re not a great side, at the moment.”

“That’s our job, to make sure we make that jump. We’ve got a developing squad that I think is going to be very exciting. The challenge, and the hardest part, is going from the top six or top eight to the top four. That’s the jump we have to make.”

He emphasised, “We’re under no illusions that’s going to be hard, but we’ve also changed the narrative of our footy club, which I think is the most important thing.”

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Despite the loss, it has been an exceptional season for the club, only founded in 2009, which has had a taste and will be desperate to come back for more next September.

Gunston stars as Hawks make a prelim

Jack Gunston kicked a bag of five majors, his most ever in a finals game, as Hawthorn made it through to the last four after a convincing victory over Adelaide.

The 33-year-old (pictured below) has had an unbelievable year so far, which earned him a new one-year contract extension as well as his second All-Australian selection blazer, taking his tally to 70, which is a personal best record in his fine 15-year career.

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Post-game, talking on the ground to Channel 7, he said, “I’ve got goosebumps again, haven’t had them for a while. Walking off with the crowd going nuts and the Hawthorn faithful who travelled over. It’s awesome. Good vibe, I love it.”

He went on, “We had the belief. We knew we had the talent. It’s a matter of putting it all together. Last year it’s good we were able to play some finals. We didn’t get the result we wanted at this ground about twelve months ago. It’s good experience and the boys have learnt a lot from it. It’s good to be back.”

Fresh from their success at the Giants the previous weekend, the Hawks got off to a blistering start, which was the perfect antidote to silence the hostile home supporters.

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It drew an initial fightback from the hosts. Still, Nick Watson (pictured above) kicked a superb goal of the season contender, from right out on the boundary, at the end of the opening quarter to ensure that his side led going into the first change of the evening.

Speaking in the rooms to Fox Footy, ‘The Wizard’ said, “Great feeling. I have come at the right time I reckon, we have got such a special group building. We are all so young, very tight as a group, so something special.”

He continued, “It is always the best feeling coming into the rooms after a win and seeing friends and family. We have such a good crew every week and without them we don’t have a good season – they’re all so loud and passionate, it’s the best!”

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Asked about next week’s game, he replied, “It will be good to get back to the ‘G’ and play in a final – we won there last year in front of 98,000, and there is no better feeling. Geelong are a very good side as well so we’ll get to work this week.”

Sam Mitchell’s outfit then went on to take every quarter on the night, whilst winning the contested possession count by 31, its largest ever differential in a finals match.

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In going down to defeat, the Crows become the first club in 42 years to have won the minor premiership only to then lose in straight sets, despite having home advantage, and also the first in AFL history to have lost against a side that finished in eighth spot.

There were many fine individual displays across the ground, but none more so than midfielder Jai Newcombe (pictured below), who racked up an impressive 28 disposals, eight clearances, three marks, three tackles, 408 metres gained, as well as a goal.

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In an interview with Fox Footy, he said, “It was important for us to start well. It was nice that it was falling my way to start the game. Tonight it felt as though we were elite and controlled it all night – credit to the boys.”

On his five-goal team-mate, Gunners, he added, “It has been very impressive to see what he has been able to achieve this year. Our forward line has been huge this year and he has been a big part of it.”