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What we learned: Experience counts for everything in finals
Nicholas Quinlan • September 14th, 2025 6:00 pm
Experience counts for everything in finals
With a maiden Q-Clash final on their horizon throughout the week, there was plenty of pressure on Brisbane to respond after a disappointing showing against the Cats.
And while the Suns may have gotten off to a hot start, kicking the first two goals, the Lions, who are in their seventh final series in a row, looked calm and knew exactly what to do to remedy it.
Harris Andrews quickly made the move onto Ben King after Darcy Gardiner was well and truly beaten and shut him out of the game, whilst still leading the Lions for intercept possessions.
The likes of Hugh McCluggage, Will and Levi Ashcroft managed to turn Jarrod Witts’ hit-out wins into successful clearances for themselves whilst shutting down the influence of the Suns in stoppages.
Josh Dunkley followed Matt Rowell all day and curtailed his effect on the game whilst managing 18 tackles himself.
And Jarrod Berry and Dayne Zorko transitioned the ball with ease from their defensive 50 to the forward 50, which created plenty of scoring opportunities.
It was one of the most complete performances the Lions have had in the finals arena.
And it can only happen by having the experience in these matches, which the Suns lacked.
Now, a rematch of the 2023 Grand Final waits for Brisbane next Saturday, with a spot to make their third Grand Final in a row up for grabs.
Redemption is a beautiful thing
For the second year in a row, the Hawks found themselves in the City of Churches on the second Friday of September in a semi-final clash.
And once again, history was against them.
In last year’s semi, no side that had lost by 50 points or more in a qualifying final had been defeated the following week, which Port Adelaide maintained with a thrilling three-point win and sent Hawthorn packing.
And in this semi-final clash against the minor premiers in the Crows, there was even more history stacked against them.
No 8th-placed side had progressed to the preliminary finals outside of North Melbourne in 2015, and no 8th-placed side had ever beaten 1st when they played one another in finals, which seemed to make an Adelaide win almost pre-ordained.
And to add injury to insult, Hawthorn had only won one of their last seven games at Adelaide Oval.
But that didn’t matter one iota.
The Hawks took the lead within 13 seconds and failed to give it up.
And while the Crows responded early on to stay in the match, the Hawks put their foot to the floor, which saw them put Adelaide out in straight sets.
With a preliminary final clash against the Cats next week, don’t be surprised if Hawthorn continues to make their own history.
