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Live sport on SN this weekend“Just too good”: Crawford’s confident flag pick
SEN • May 1st, 2026 10:24 am
Shane Crawford cannot see Brisbane being beaten in this year’s Grand Final.
We’re only at Round 8 but Crawf reckons Chris Fagan’s three-peat chasing Lions are the absolute benchmark once again.
Only a lack of hunger, which he does not believe is evident, will hold them back.
“Unbeatable, Brisbane, in the Grand Final,” Crawford said on SEN Breakfast.
“Seriously, when they are on, when they’re aggressive with the footy, the way they link up, the depth of player they’ve got, the skill level…
“I’ve seen them live twice and it’s just a mental thing for them.”
Can they get up three years in a row?
“I think they can,” the Hawthorn great replied.
“They’re sharing it around enough now, they’ve got great youngsters.
“It’s just going to come down to the hunger for me. Do they really have that to be consistent throughout the year?
“They’d have to be clear favourites.”
Garry Lyon floated the notion that perhaps it becomes much harder for a team trying to win three straight as things become less of a big deal and desire can start to wane.
But Crawford is confident that won’t occur.
“They’ve got really good pressure, they’re hungry,” Crawford said further.
“They’ve had a few new recruits come in, although one (Oscar Allen) is out for quite some time.
“Even the Melbourne game the week before… their defensive effort was relying on others. I’m like, ‘Fagan will be highlighting that for sure’.
“It’s amazing, once they shift their mindset they’re just too good.
“Adelaide came to play (last weekend), they turned up, their structure was strong
“The Lions only need 15 minutes (to beat you). Their midfielders kick goals and they look like they don’t have opponents (at times).”
This weekend the Lions will look to improve their record to 5-3 when they meet Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
