Predicted ins, outs and lineups for week three of the 2025 AFL finals

We've reached the final four, with the penultimate week of the 2025 AFL Finals series upon us and the two grand final spots up for grabs.

One of Geelong, Collingwood, Brisbane or Hawthorn will add to their multiple premierships of the 21st century, but first they'll need to successfully handle an exciting preliminary final.

As September deepens, so does the importance of selection, and all four clubs have calls to make on their structure, system, and sideline players.

Here we've predicted the ins, out and lineups for all four teams ahead of this week's preliminary finals action.

Geelong vs Hawthorn

Friday, September 19
MCG, 7:40pm (AEST)

 2025-09-19T09:40:00Z 

Geelong WON BY 30 POINTS

MCG

GEEL   

115

FT

85

   HAW

    #AFLCatsHawks

MATCH CENTRE ▶︎   

Geelong

The big watch at Kardinia Park this week is the fitness of first-string ruckman Rhys Stanley, who is in a race against the clock to be ready for Friday's affair as he nurses a hamstring injury. That ailment put him out of action for the Cats' qualifying final win over the Lions and would've seen him miss a semi-final if Geelong had fallen to the Lions. Sam De Koning and Mark Blicavs formed a strong partnership in Stanley's absence, with the latter arguably the best afield in the win, but Hawks big man Lloyd Meek is a harder challenge than Darcy Fort, and Stanley might be a better matchup. In saying that, any risk should be avoided at selection, and the versatility that De Koning and Blicavs bring helps Geelong's shape-shifting structure that got the better of Brisbane. Just about every Cat in that final played a good game, with tactical sub Jhye Clark maybe the only one susceptible to a selection axing if Chris Scott has a specific matchup change in mind.

Ins: N/A
Outs: N/A

FB: O'Sullivan, Henry, Guthrie
HB: Humphries, Stewart, Mullin
C: Dempsey, Holmes, Blicavs
HF: Mannagh, Cameron, Close
FF: Stengle, Neale, Dangerfield
FO: De Koning, Atkins, Smith
I/C: Miers, O'Connor, Martin, Bowes, Clark (sub)

Hawthorn

The Hawks will have a close watch of Calsher Dear's progress from a recent hamstring injury throughout the week, but if there's any doubt over his fitness, then that might make the decision easier. Dear's minor strain from the elimination final win over GWS has placed him as an unlikely option to return this week, with Mitch Lewis coming into the side that would defeat Adelaide on Friday. Lewis struggled to have an impact despite the win, and was subbed out of the game. It would still be harsh for Sam Mitchell to drop Lewis if Dear is not available, instead backing in his key forward to bounce back against the Cats on Friday night. There has also been some suggestion that forward pair Jack Ginnivan and Jack Gunston have picked up minor ailment concerns from the win over the Crows, but word from the Hawks seems to suggest they're expected to play.

Ins: N/A
Outs: N/A

FB: Hardwick, Barrass, Battle
HB: Weddle, Sicily, Impey
C: Moore, Worpel, Amon
HF: Watson, Chol, D'Ambrosio
FF: Ginnivan, Lewis, Gunston
FO: Meek, Newcombe, Ward
I/C: Scrimshaw, Nash, Macdonald, Butler, Jiath (sub)

Collingwood vs Brisbane

Saturday, September 20
MCG, 5:25pm (AEST)

 2025-09-20T07:15:00Z 

Brisbane WON BY 29 POINTS

MCG

COLL   

71

FT

100

   BL

    #AFLPiesLions

MATCH CENTRE ▶︎   

Collingwood

Collingwood veteran Jeremy Howe is likely to return from a groin injury that has kept him out of play since the end of the Magpies' home and away campaign. He'll still need to prove his fitness on the track this week, but all signs indicate he'll slot back into his post in defence. His return could see Wil Parker come back out of the side, despite a good return against the Crows a fortnight ago. The big talking point will be the decision on Norm Smith Medal winner Bobby Hill, who has been back training this month in his pursuit of a return to the team after a spell away from his duties. He booted four goals in a practice match the weekend of Collingwood's trip to South Australia to prove his form is no issue. The concern surrounding his mental preparedness is another factor, though. If he's ripe and ready to go, and hasn't missed a session in September, then a spot should open up for him. If Hill gets the green light, expected Roan Steele to make way, and Hill to potentially take the bench spot. If not, Parker might move to the sub role in place of Steele instead. The Mason Cox move paid off against the Crows, with the American Pie expected to hold his spot over Dan McStay, unless his return was more of a 'horses for courses' matchup on Adelaide's tall defenders.

Ins: Jeremy Howe, Bobby Hill
Outs: Roan Steele, Wil Parker

FB: Maynard, Moore, Quaynor
HB: Perryman, Frampton, J. Daicos
C: Houston, Long, Sidebottom
HF: De Goey, Membrey, Lipinski
FF: Elliott, Mihocek, Schultz
FO: Cameron, Pendlebury, N. Daicos
I/C: McCreery, Crisp, McStay, Howe, Hill (sub)

Brisbane

The Lions are likely to go unchanged following their strong semi-final showing against the Suns, with all areas of the field clicking, bringing pressure, pace and a contested ball game that stunned their state rivals. Lachie Neale won't be available due to his calf injury, but he's not ruling out a grand final spot if Brisbane can book their third successive season decider. The other omission for the semi-final was Sam Day, who is likely to remain on the outer at selection, given rookie Ty Gallop's impressive evening against Gold Coast. Ruckman Oscar McInerney returned in Day's place, and will likely hold his spot alongside Darcy Fort in a one-two punch that will look to quell the impact of Darcy Cameron both in the ruck and behind the ball.

Ins: N/A
Outs: N/A

FB: Zorko, Gardiner, Lester
HB: Wilmot, Andrews, Starcevich
C: L. Ashcroft, McCluggage, Berry
HF: Cameron, Day, Bailey
FF: Rayner, Morris, Lohmann
FO: Fort, Dunkley, W. Ashcroft
I/C: Fletcher, Marshall, Ah Chee, McInerney, Reville (sub)