Brisbane Lions claim back-to-back AFL premiership with dominant final quarter over Geelong

The Brisbane Lions have claimed back-to-back AFL premierships after a dominant final quarter sealed a convincing Grand Final win over the Geelong Cats in Geelong. Will Ashcroft secured the Norm Smith Medal, becoming a two-time recipient at just 21 years old as Brisbane pulled away in the last quarter and finished the season on a high note.

Brisbane struck late, but the result was not a one-quarter affair. The Lions had built a solid platform through the middle quarters, with Dayne Zorko providing a steadying influence and launching several forward thrusts that Geelong could not quite answer. Charlie Cameron lent a decisive blast, kicking four goals to help swing the momentum and give Brisbane a lead that Geelong could not corral. The defence did the heavy lifting for long stretches, with Harris Andrews providing an authoritative presence as the Lions repelled Geelong’s threats and kept the Cats from capitalising on early momentum.

The veteran core of Brisbane’s squad continued to deliver when it mattered most. Lachie Neale, listed as the substitute, came on at halftime after passing a fitness test and immediately helped steady the Lions’ play, including a goal from beyond 50 metres that reinforced Brisbane’s advantage. The Lions’ willingness to mix precision ball use with pressure in the contest allowed them to convert a handful of key moments into scoreboard pressure, ultimately breaking the game open in the third and fourth terms. Kai Lohmann and Callum Ah Chee contributed important metres-gained work, with Lohmann returning from a head knock to impact the contest and keep Brisbane’s forward line dynamic.

Geelong, by contrast, could not sustain pressure after a bright opening. Lawson Humphries stood tall for the Cats, producing a 22-disposal effort that underlined his emergence as a game-breaking midfielder, but too many of Geelong’s veterans failed to lift in the biggest game of the year. Jeremy Cameron’s early impact gave way to a quiet ledger as Brisbane locked down the perimeter and contested situations, while Patrick Dangerfield’s influence waned after a lively first half. The Cats were left to rue a series of missed chances in the first half and a lack of polish when Brisbane’s pressure intensified in the later stages.

Geelong’s issues extended through the team list. Bailey Smith started strongly with a burst of impact that threatened to give the Cats a foothold, but his influence faded as Brisbane’s defence tightened and the Lions regained control. Midfield support from Tom Atkins and Mark Blicavs could not translate into enough scoring opportunities, and Geelong’s forward structure never found the consistency needed to counter Brisbane’s run-and-carry game. The injury clouds surrounding the Cats added to the difficulty, with some players unable to produce their best when the game demanded peak performance across four quarters.

The final margin reflected Brisbane’s efficiency in front of goal and their willingness to execute under pressure. Cameron’s four-goal haul punctuated the Lions’ variety inside 50s, while Ashcroft’s overall influence—distributing, pressuring, and delivering the game’s defining moments—earned him the medal that has now accompanied his rapid ascent into football’s elite. His two Norm Smith medals before the age of 22 signal a remarkable trajectory for a player who has grown into a central figure for a premiership side.

As the celebration began for Brisbane, the captaincy baton was re-emphasized by a standout defensive effort. Andrews anchored a back line that repeatedly halted Geelong’s forays and set the tone for a team that rarely panicked when the game was in the balance. The Lions’ bench produced a timely contribution, with the coaching staff leveraging Lachie Neale’s leadership on the field after his late return to form and a crucial goal that ensured Brisbane remained in front as the clock wound down.

In the aftermath, the Lions can point to a season replete with moments of depth and resilience. The premiership marks a significant achievement for a club that has built its identity around a relentless contest and efficient ball movement, qualities that were on full display on Grand Final day. For Geelong, the result will prompt scrutiny of how the Cats address the issues that emerged on the biggest stage, from the early pressure in the contest to the execution in the forward half under fatigue in the final quarter.