Lions list changes but machine the same ahead of fourth grand final

Thu, 3 Sept, 8:10 pm, Final score, Dockers 40, Hawks 72 Fri, 4 Sept, 7:40 pm, Final score, Cats 107, Blues 74 107 →74 Sat, 5 Sept, 3:15 pm, Final score, Swans 141, Lions 88 141 →88 Sat, 5 Sept, 7:35 pm, Final score, Crows 90, Bulldogs 68 90 →68 Fri, 11 Sept, 8:10 pm, Final score, Dockers 120, Cats 106 120 →106 Sat, 12 Sept, 7:35 pm, Final score, Lions 144, Crows 91 144 →91 Fri, 18 Sept, 7:40 pm, Final score, Swans 71, Dockers 83 71 →83 Sat, 19 Sept, 5:15 pm, Final score, Hawks 122, Lions 131 122 →131 Sat, 26 Sept, 2:30 pm, Game not started, Dockers versus Lions - →- analysis Brisbane Lions face fourth straight AFL grand final with different players, but same look On Saturday the Brisbane Lions will march out for their fourth straight grand final appearance. From the outside it's yet another chapter for the relentless, exciting machine that has taken the league by storm over the past half decade. Under the hood, though, pieces have been slowly changing. Like the Ship of Theseus, the Lions have slowly been transforming as they have sailed the premiership waters. The Lions will have fielded 35 different players across their four years in the grand final by the time they run out on Saturday — almost enough for two distinct teams of 18. Just 11 players have hit the field in all four games — less than half of their 23 man side. This is no different to all football teams over a long enough period of time. Players come, players go. Styles change, emerge and alter as the clock ticks. But these Lions have shifted more than most dynasties. For example, Brisbane had just 29 players feature over their four straight grand finals at the turn of the century. These Lions are turning their ship over faster, but the look is largely the same. Of the constants remaining, perhaps the most important is the steward of the ship. Coach Chris Fagan's distinctive style has been key to ensuring that the Lions can both retool and stay in the premiership hunt. The 2026 Lions remain a force to beat — even if that force is different to that posed in 2023. If they can capture the flag on Saturday they will become the seventh VFL/AFL side to win three premierships in a row. "It's very exciting to be in the position where we could achieve something like that," Fagan said after their thrilling win over Hawthorn. "But it's not worth thinking about that — if you know what I mean — because you (can) get caught up in thinking the wrong way." In the path of their greatness stands the side best over the course of the year, and a new challenger to the Lions' crown. This year's Lions — an increasingly homegrown side — stand on the cusp of history. Only a Purple Haze stands in their way. The Lions' Den So if the pieces have changed, what about the Lions' identity and style of play, has it stayed the same? Plenty, it turns out. The Lions kick the ball more than any other side in the competition and have done so since 2024. The Hawks and Lions handballed the ball just 92 times a piece last weekend, only the fifth time since 2008 that both teams have taken fewer than 100 handballs in a game. Instead the Lions control the ball by making sure they find marking targets by foot. No team has taken more marks than the Lions. They also defend against opposition marks exceedingly well. Much like Roger Federer in his prime, the Lions beat the opposition by making them run while remaining in control themselves. It's somewhat reminiscent of the style of the 2013-2015 Hawthorn sides which Fagan ably served. The opposition can't score when you have the ball, and you can use the advantage of control to pressure the opposition. Helping get the ball first helps as well. In the last four years the Lions have ranked in the top two for clearance difference in each season. Brisbane boast arguably the best group of ball winning midfielders in the competition. The Lions boast an enviable midfield group, boosted by the freeing of Lachie Neale from suspension in what may be his last game for the club. Their second layer and rotation midfielders would be the first choice across much of the rest of the league. If Neale, Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage don't beat you, Zac Bailey and the Ashcrofts will. Even the likes of former number one draft pick Cam Rayner can break games open as a change of pace option. This helps to generate attack for the Lions — who aren't short on that front. The Lions can score from all parts of the ground, but are especially adept when keeping the ball in their own forward half. The Lions have long boasted a dynamic forward line but this year might be their best combination yet come finals time. The Lions have found a group that can all do damage on their own but are also willing to sacrifice their own games for the greater good. All seven core Brisbane forwards average more than a goal a game, along with Zac Bailey. Almost no other side boasts that kind of widespread firepower from such a variety of different sized players. Prize recruit Oscar Allen has been able to slot quietly into the mix as he pursues his first premiership, essentially replacing Joe Daniher. The surprise positional switch of veteran Irishman Conor McKenna has been equally seamless. The Lions are even deadly from the usual safe sanctuary of the boundary line or the umpire's arms. No side is better at scoring from stoppages inside 50 — meaning that opposition sides can't just kill contests. That increases the pressure on opponents to exit cleanly, otherwise cricket scores are likely to follow. But maybe part of the reason why they score heavily is that they have to do so to win games. The shaky defence Unlike previous years the recipe to beat the Lions has become increasingly clear. Teams have taken to putting the Brisbane defence under pressure as swiftly as possible, going in straight lines at speed. The Swans were able to capitalise in their qualifying final win, moving the ball more directly than any other point of their season. Last week the Hawks tried similar and were nearly successful. So far this finals the Lions have conceded more points than any other team to ever make the grand final. Every other team to concede more than 100 points per game before making the grand final went on to lose the decider. As the year has progressed the Lions have struggled to defend against transition. They can get overwhelmed by teams with multiple tall options and crafty small forwards — something that the Dockers have in numbers. But the defence still believes that it can do the job when it matters most. "We've proven in the previous couple of grand finals and throughout the year — and the past few years — that we can keep teams to a limited score. We certainly don't go into the game going we need to kick 120 (points) to win," defender Ryan Lester told the media this week. That defence shapes as a critical factor in the game ahead. In their round 12 loss to the Dockers their defence was shredded when tasked with defending the full field. That loss happened in the Lions typical mid-season swoon. It was also one that didn't have Fagan as concerned as many would think from the outside. "The last time we played them they beat us by four goals at the Gabba. There was a bit to like about that game (actually)," Fagan said last week. Brisbane did what they typically need to do to win that game — namely win clearances and dominate field position. But they failed to execute in front of goal and failed to keep Fremantle at bay up forward. It's easy to see how Brisbane turn it around on Saturday — mainly because they've done it so many times before. Regardless of the personnel, or the opponent — the Brisbane ship always seems destined for success. [Image text:] I AFD youl D HYUnDRI 30 youi