There's a lot more than just a premiership at stake on Saturday when the Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions meet for the second time this September.
Whoever claims the 2025 premiership cup will unequivocally be seen as the team of the decade (so far) and even this century, writing themselves into AFL folklore.
The Cats, who are playing in a third Grand Final in six seasons, could signify their status as the most dominant club this century, potentially claiming a fifth flag since 2000 in their 13th finals campaign in 15 seasons under senior coach Chris Scott.
The Lions can do the same with a win on September 27, aiming to repeat the success of the 2003 Brisbane side, who won their second straight flag against the Magpies that year, despite losing to Collingwood in the qualifying final. Brisbane have now reached seven consecutive finals series under Chris Fagan - and three straight grand finals.
It's the two post-season heavyweights of the modern era doing battle on the grandest stage of all. Let's break down everything on the line.
History between Geelong and Brisbane
Despite being two of the league's inaugural clubs dating back to 1897, Geelong and the once-Fitzroy Lions have never met in a decider.
However, the two have shared a plethora of September battles in recent times, facing off against each other in four of the last six finals series. In fact, Saturday will be their fifth meeting in a final since 2020, and fourth clash against each other this season.
Geelong secured a spot in the 2020 Grand Final by upsetting the young, sprightly Lions on their home turf, running away with the contest in a dominant final term.
The Cats would again secure a grand final berth in 2022 by knocking out Brisbane, doing so with ease in a 71-point preliminary final thumping at the MCG, led by Patrick Dangerfield's 28 disposals and two goals.
However, the tide would turn in Brisbane's favour in exhilarating fashion last year when the sides met again in a preliminary final, Fagan's Lions surging back from a 25-point deficit to claim a 10-point victory following Max Holmes' devastating hamstring injury, which took the wind out of the Cats' sails.
Geelong will feel like they missed a prime opportunity to win an 11th flag that night, so the opportunity to firmly stamp revenge on the Lions has arrived. They've already beaten Brisbane at the MCG once this September, a clinical 38-point win in the qualifying final, but recent history shows that won't matter too much.
Since 2000, there have been five qualifying final rematches in the grand final. The initial result has been reversed on four of the occasions.
Team Lineups: Heartbreak stories loom for both clubs
Regardless of the result on Saturday evening, there is bound to be one heartbreak story in this Grand Final.
For the Cats, Tom Stewart has been ruled out due to a concussion he suffered against Hawthorn in the preliminary final, with the AFL's concussion protocols forcing him out.
Stewart has been joined by Lions midfielder Jarrod Berry on the sidelines, with the 27-year-old's availability for the decider in doubt following a second left shoulder dislocation within a month.
Their injuries open the door for several players to raise their hands in a bid to return for the big dance.
For Geelong, ruckman Rhys Stanley has gotten the nod, having recovered from a hamstring injury that saw him miss their first two finals.
As for Brisbane, Neale's miraculous recovery from a calf injury has been confirmed, replacing Berry at selection. However, Neale's ability to see out a full match in the midfield, let alone a Grand Final, remains to be seen, with many quizzing whether he will begin the decider as the substitute.
The stats that matter
Contested possessions
The game-defining stat will undoubtedly be the contested possession count. Brisbane is 12-0 this year in games where they've won the metric, and in these clubs' three meetings this season, the winner on the scoreboard has won the contested possession battle as well.
What may be key for Geelong to emerge victorious in this statistic is another successful tag on Hugh McCluggage. While a difficult task, the Cats proved last time out it's possible, with Oisin Mullin keeping McCluggage to just seven contested possessions and 14 disposals in total.
If Patrick Dangerfield hunts the Sherrin like a madman as well, which enabled his stunning 31-disposal, three-goal effort against the Hawks last Friday night, there's a good chance the Cats can outdo the Lions here.
However, with a contested footy team as dominant as the Lions, who beat out Collingwood by +14 in the stat last weekend, it's wise not to rule them out, as they'll undoubtedly enter this game with a fresh strategy to mitigate Geelong's physical utilities.
Clearances
This is as titanic a midfield battle as any, and Geelong's ability to win clearances from centre bounces was ultimately what set up their 38-point win in the qualifying final.
It's likely the clash of the midfield giants will make-or-break this contest again, considering that in all three meetings between the sides this season, the club that won the clearance battle won the game.
The see-ball, get-ball mentality of Geelong's stars coming up against Brisbane's inside bulls will be an enthralling watch, particularly if Lachie Neale finds himself in the heat of the battle again.
X-Factors
Geelong - Mark Blicavs
The versatility of Blicavs was paramount to the Cats' week one victory, dominating across the ground in a variety of roles, from winning aerial battles in the ruck to generating clearance after clearance in the heat of congestion. He notably finished the match with a game-high six clearances, three of which came from centre bounces.
However, his role is set to change given Rhys Stanley's return, opening the possibility of a forward tag on instrumental fullback Harris Andrews or returning to his role as a floating midfielder. It's an intriguing decision for Chris Scott, who hopes to use the unpredictability of Blicavs' game to his advantage as the game-day tactical chess match unfolds.
Ultimately, Blicavs' adaptability in his ever-changing role is a weapon that allows the Cats to reshape their strategy on the fly, making him a pivotal - and potentially damaging - asset for Geelong in this Grand Final.
Brisbane - Kai Lohmann
Since returning from injury in Round 24, Kai Lohmann has played in purely blockbuster fixtures - something that he clearly thrives in.
Lohmann has kicked multiple goals on six occasions this season; four of them have come against top-eight sides, and once against the Bulldogs, who famously missed September action with a top-three percentage.
He kicked two goals and had five score involvements against Geelong in the qualifying final and backed that up with three electric majors against the Suns.
But really, all you have to do is look at his 2024 Grand Final performance to see how damaging he can be for Brisbane on the big stage. Lohmann exploded for four goals on the day, three of which came in the stunning first half that saw the Lions jump out to a 46-point lead at the main break.
If that's the version of Lohmann Brisbane get on Saturday, it's going to take a big effort from the Cats to secure the premiership.
Predictions
To view the Zero Hanger teams' full 2025 Grand Final predictions, click here.
