Lions surge to AFL Grand Final win as Bailey Smith drama dominates

Brisbane Lions have claimed the 2025 AFL premiership with a 122-75 victory over the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, sealing their status as two-time premiers in a dominant Grand Final performance.

A defining moment came on the stroke of three-quarter time when Geelong forward Bailey Smith bypassed a contest, allowing Dayne Zorko to feed the ball to Lachie Neale for a long-range majors that sparked Brisbane’s late surge. The moment also featured a visible twist of momentum for Smith: in the final term, a crunching tackle from Cam Rayner left him sprawling on the turf as his white headband was knocked from his head.

The moment Williamsed the narrative surrounding Smith’s day, but the Lions carried the momentum into the last quarter. Early in the final term, Cam Rayner’s physical impact drew attention and helped set the stage for Brisbane’s finish, while Dayne Zorko and Lachie Neale turned solid midfield work into scoring opportunities. Social media reactions reflected the charged atmosphere inside the MCG, with spectators weighing in on the clash between Smith and Harris Andrews and the broader tilt of the game toward Brisbane.

Geelong’s Bailey Smith endured a tough afternoon in his first grand final appearance at the MCG. He had a quiet opening half, producing just two disposals and four free kicks in the period, before finishing with 11 touches, nine contested possessions and a goal as Brisbane dictated terms in the late stages. The Lions’ forward-line and midfield pressure translated into seven consecutive majors across the final term, widening the margin and sealing a emphatic win for the premiers.

Lions captain Harris Andrews, who was involved in a late on-field exchange with Smith, kept his composure as the game slipped away from Geelong. Analysts and commentators noted the scoreboard’s reflecting pressure as Brisbane’s array of burners and ball handlers delivered in the last quarter, outpacing the Cats as they failed to force a meaningful comeback.

Rayner, a central figure in both the on-field moments and the celebrations, spoke after the game about the public attention he had drawn and embraced the role. He said he enjoyed the attention and the atmosphere in the 100,000-strong crowd, adding that boos and banter from spectators were half the fun of grand finals and parades. His remarks underscored a player who has embraced the public spotlight as Brisbane closed out the season with a second premiership in recent memory.

The Geelong Cats entered the day hoping to emulate the club’s rich grand final history, but Brisbane’s efficiency, their ability to convert inside 50s, and pressure at stoppages proved too much. The final scoreline, 18.14 (122) to 11.9 (75), reflected a one-sided chase in which Brisbane opened the second half with a relentless burst and did not look back.

The victory marks a milestone for Brisbane, who reaffirmed their status as one of the league’s most potent teams in recent years. The Lions’ performance in the Grand Final will be remembered for the decisive late burst, the physical edge that defined the encounter, and the emergence of Neale and Zorko as catalysts for the final-quarter surge. As the team celebrated on the MCG, the mood highlighted a season of high achievement and a return to the pinnacle for a club that has built a strong, consistent foundation over several campaigns.