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Grand Final tips: Our predictions for the 2025 AFL decider
SEN • September 25th, 2025 5:48 pm
The 2025 AFL Grand Final is finally here!
The Geelong Cats take on the Brisbane Lions, and with both teams already having flags to their names in the last three seasons, either side can make an early claim to be the team of the 2020s!
See the tips and predictions from the SEN.com.au digital team below:
The Lions have often been underestimated when their backs have been to the wall.
Collingwood came at them hard at times in the prelim but they always managed to find a way. It’s been the story of the last two years.
Most of the talk suggests they’re up against it here with many forecasting the Cats should be too strong.
But Chris Fagan and his Lions have that dog in them. They just keep fighting. And their best footy, when they wheel it out, is the best in the league. That’s not saying Geelong’s isn’t pretty good though…
The focal point will be the fitness of Lachie Neale but even if he doesn’t play, or succumbs early, the emerging Lions have shown they are capable of stepping up on the big stage.
The Lions were nowhere near good enough to beat the Cats in the Qualifying Final. But recent history from the top 8 era tells us that result is frequently reversed when the two combatants meet again in the Grand Final.
So that lends some hope to the Lions who will be intent on defending their title… and eager to avoid two crushing defeats in three years.
Tip: Brisbane by 10 pointsNorm Smith: Zac Bailey (BRI)First Goal: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)
Andrew Slevison
Heading into September we all thought these were probably the two best teams in it. Will that help create a close game in Saturday's decider?
Fans will certainly hope so, but I've got a feeling this one could end up much like many recent deciders - in a bit of a blowout.
Six of the last eight Grand Finals have been decided by 5 or more goals, and this one will head in that same way if the Cats can bring the same pressure that they put on the Lions in their 38-point Qualifying Final win.
While the Lions are probably the one team that can stop them at their best, with injuries mounting up and less rest than this Cats outfit, they're going to need a superhuman performance to flip the script.
It's not impossible, and they absolutely have the ground-ball weapons and firepower to do so, but this one feels like Chris Scott's side will be too strong defensively against Brisbane's slick corridor ball movement, too mature in their roles and have too much attacking class to be outscored come Saturday.
I hope I'm wrong when it comes to this one at least being close, but the Cats - who have kicked 100+ in each of their last eight games while conceding no more than 85 - just look too good to not pick right now.
Tip: Geelong by 39 pointsNorm Smith: Max Holmes (GEE)First Goal: Tyson Stengle (GEE)
Lachlan Geleit
Could the Grand Final be a repeat of the Qualifying Final?
The Cats came out hot, mounting an elite high pressure game, tagging stars out of the contest to walk over the Lions en route to the Grand Final. Brisbane had to do it the hard way, but as seen in 2024, the long way around doesn't seem to phase Fagan's men.
It feels inevitable that the Lions will turn up in the manner we all saw last season. A side built for the biggest stages, it's nearly certain that Brisbane will bring their A-game. But will that be enough to take down the Cats?
I don't believe so. If the Cats can get their game going, utilise their elite run, fire up their stars and shut down their matchups, they should get the job done.
It's no certainty, however with Lachie Neale either missing or playing hampered, Jarrod Berry out and an underrated absence in Jack Payne, the healthy Cats may have too much strength come this Saturday.
Backing in a good game, but taking the Cats with confidence.
Tip: Geelong by 14 pointsNorm Smith: Bailey Smith (GEE)
First Goal: Shannon Neale (GEE)
First Goal: Shannon Neale (GEE)
Jaiden Sciberras
The Lions have already seen what the Cats have in store for them, so there’s no way it will happen again… right?
Geelong was ruthlessly efficient when these two faced off in the first week of finals, dishing out tag after tag and almost doubling Brisbane’s scoring shots.
Chris Scott wheeled out a similar display in their prelim matchup with Hawthorn, and now the Cats are coming into a Grand Final with plenty of rest and only a Tom Stewart absence to worry them.
With the battered and bruised Lions taking the long way round to make it back to the ‘G, it’s easy to see a world where these Cats just run them into the ground.
This should be a gripping contest in the first half, but as the game goes on this Geelong squad will just be too healthy and too relentless for Brisbane to keep up.
The Lions know what is coming, they just mightn’t be able to stop it.
Tip: Geelong by 37 pointsNorm Smith: Bailey Smith (GEE)First Goal: Zac Bailey (BRI)
Jack Makeham
The Cats pumped the Lions just three weeks ago!
Recent form is always the biggest teller in who will in games, and this is as obvious as you can get.
The Cats have had the Semi Finals bye, and they are well rested with a full strength team, minus Tom Stewart. Brisbane on the other hand have Eric Hipwood, Jarrod Berry and Jack Payne all out of their side. Also, Lachie Neale will be playing on one leg!
All signs are pointing to the healthy Cats and they are no stranger to winning flags.
Tip: Geelong by 52 pointsNorm Smith: Max Holmes (GEE)First Goal: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)
Connor Scanlon
