The stage is set for an electrifying weekend of Australian Rules Football as the four undisputed best teams of the 2025 season prepare for the AFL Preliminary Finals. The football world holds its breath as Hawthorn, Brisbane, Collingwood, and Geelong vie for the two coveted spots in the season's ultimate showdown: the Grand Final.
The Clash of the Titans: Hawthorn vs. Brisbane
In what promises to be a brutal and physical contest, the Hawthorn Hawks will lock horns with the Brisbane Lions. This matchup is poised to be a classic battle of attrition, where every possession will be fiercely contested. The midfield duel will be absolutely critical, with both sides boasting elite engines capable of dominating the clearances and setting the tempo of the game.
All eyes will be on the key forwards, where the accuracy of star goalkickers could ultimately be the difference between a Grand Final berth and a heartbreaking end to a stellar season. The pressure is immense, and only the most disciplined and relentless team will advance.
A Grand Final Rematch: Collingwood vs. Geelong
The other semi-final delivers a blockbuster narrative, featuring a replay of the 2024 decider as the Collingwood Magpies face the Geelong Cats. This contest offers a fascinating stylistic contrast. Expect a fierce, tactical war between Collingwood's renowned contested-ball prowess and Geelong's precise, possession-based game plan.
The Magpies will look to overwhelm the Cats with their trademark pressure and ferocity at the ball carrier. In response, Geelong's experienced heads will rely on their clinical ball use and strategic nous to navigate the storm and find a path to victory. It's a clash of philosophies that guarantees edge-of-your-seat action.
The Road to the Grand Final
The outcomes of these two monumental clashes will define the lineup for the 2025 AFL Grand Final. The winners will earn a week of intense preparation and media scrutiny, while the losers will be left to ponder what might have been after a long and gruelling season.
With no clear favourite emerging from either fixture, fans are guaranteed a weekend of uncompromising, high-stakes football. The intensity of preliminary final weekend is unmatched, and this year’s lineup promises to deliver drama, brilliance, and heartbreak in equal measure.
