The Brisbane Lions are gearing up for their highly anticipated opening round clash against the Geelong Cats on March 6, 2025, but the team enters with uncertainty after their recent pre-season match against Adelaide ended in disappointment. A late-game collapse saw the Lions lose to the Crows by just three points, 14.13 (97) to 13.16 (94), raising concerns about squad depth and injuries.
The match, which took place at Brighton Homes Arena, marked the end of the AAMI Community Series for the Lions. With standout player Brandon Starcevich now sidelined due to concussion, Brisbane's defense faces challenges heading toward round one. Starcevich suffered the concussion during the second quarter after being struck by teammate Daniel Curtin, who inadvertently pushed him toward another player, Luke Pedlar, resulting in the collision. This incident echoes concerns raised recently over the safety of players within the game, following another recent collision involving West Coast's Reuben Ginbey and Richmond's Sam Lalor.
According to reports, Starcevich failed his concussion test and will not participate against Geelong, which is increasing pressure on the coaching staff to adjust their lineup. Coach Chris Fagan must decide how best to cover for the loss of the premiership defender. The upcoming bout against Geelong is already being touted as a challenging season opener for the reigning premiers, especially without one of their defensive cornerstones.
Despite Starcevich's unfortunate exit, Brisbane had some positives to draw from the pre-season game. Midfielder Lachie Neale was once again pivotal on the field, registering 30 disposals, and Will Ashcroft showed promise with 24 disposals of his own. Kai Lohmann's lively play kept spirits high, highlighted by two spectacular first-quarter marks and key contributions moving forward, including multiple goal assists.
The Lions built momentum early, racing to establish a three-goal lead but faltered during the second half as Adelaide upped its defensive efforts. Crows captain Jordan Dawson proved to be the game-changer for his team with two goals and 24 disposals, finishing as the most impactful player. Similarly divisive performances from Darcy Fogarty and James Peatling helped swing the game in favor of Adelaide, who capitalized on Brisbane's fatigue.
Brisbane's task against Geelong looks potentially more serious now with Harris Andrews, another key player, also recently recovering from illness, and his availability for the upcoming match remains uncertain. Meanwhile, new faces like father-son draftee Levi Ashcroft made their mark, showcasing impressive skills during his pre-season debut. Ashcroft achieved 23 disposals and scored during the latter part of the game, signaling he might be pivotal moving forward.
The opening match against Geelong is slated to bring added pressure as both teams prepare for intense competition; the matchup is set to start at 7:50 PM AEDT at the Gabba. Broadcasters including Channel 7 will cover the event live starting at 7:00 PM AEDT, offering fans various viewing options.
For Geelong, the pre-season wrap saw positive performances, particularly from standout players like Jack Bowes and Jeremy Cameron, who are poised to start strongly against Brisbane. Bowes ended his last match with 31 disposals, effectively demonstrating his readiness to tackle the season. Meanwhile, Tyson Stengle's offensive prowess from previous matches gives Geelong confidence as they step onto the field and challenge for favor against Brisbane.
Both clubs have their share of mysteries heading toward the season, particularly surrounding Brisbane's forward brigade, where the absence of Joe Daniher pushes other forwards like Ty Gallop and Cam Rayner to display more influence. The Lions hope to exploit missed opportunities from the last game, bringing renewed energy and clarity to their game plan as they seek to defend their premiership.
With all eyes on them, the Lions must confront obstacles head-on, demonstrating resilience both on and off the field. Fans eagerly anticipate seeing how head coach Chris Fagan manages the roster, balances injuries, and optimizes player roles moving forward.
All considered, the Lions' focus sharpens not only on grappling with injuries but also on establishing teamwork and strategy as they prepare for their season opener. How they adapt to these challenges in the lead-up to week one will significantly influence their ambitions for the 2025 season.