analysis

Lions are ‘unrelenting’ and yet again the underdogs for this finals series

2 hours agoMon 10 Nov 2025 at 3:35am

Courtney Hodder says Brisbane being underdogs again just “lights a fire” in the players. (Getty: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos)

Over the weekend, the Brisbane Lions booked their sixth preliminary final in a row. If they are to make it to a grand final, it will be their fourth consecutive outing in the decider.

And yet, with North Melbourne’s undefeated 25-match run, it will be another deep finals run where they are not the favourites for the flag.

“They’ve (the Kangaroos) had a great season, and we’re coming in as a little bit of the underdogs … It just adds that fire to the belly,” Lions star Courtney Hodder told ABC Sport after Brisbane’s qualifying 13-point win against Melbourne on Sunday.

“And hopefully if we get to the big stage at the end, hopefully we can get over the line, but only then can we tell.”

Brisbane finished third on the ladder yet clinched a home AFLW preliminary final with the win over the Demons, helping the premiership goal.

Many pundits believe the Lions could be the side to challenge the Kangaroos — if both sides are to make it to the final day — including AFLW expert commentator and former All Australian Kate McCarthy.

Brisbane played in the last three grand finals and has two premierships from six decider appearances. (Getty: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos)

“I’ve been part of that program and you thrived in that program when everyone wrote you off,” McCarthy said on AFL’s The Wrap.

“And [Brisbane head coach] Craig Starcevich absolutely loves that narrative.”

The Lions will face the winner of Hawthorn and Carlton’s semifinal this weekend.

Making things hard to predict, however, is that finals footy is a different beast to the home and away series, Hodder said.

“You look forward to the end of the season, and it’s just like, crash and bash. It’s literally insane, but it gets you up and about, and that’s what finals footy is all about,” she said.

AFLW commentator Chyloe Kurdas said what has kept them at the top has been their “durability and reliability as a collective,” where new players slot into the team plan and structure almost seamlessly.

Brisbane defeated Melbourne over the weekend to reach its sixth consecutive preliminary final. (Getty: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos)

Brisbane has two premierships from six grand final appearances, yet, as an inaugural side, it has had its list changed drastically over the course of the 10 seasons.

“They’re just so unrelenting … They’ve always got this extra gear that they can go to, and that’s a credit to the S and C staff (strength and conditioning),” Kurdas said.

“And I think that’s also in part from Craig (Starcevich). Obviously, historically, an S and C coach, but I think it’s how he builds S and C into the game plan as a skill, not just kicks and handballs and tackles.

“He builds speed and endurance into the game plan as an important skill, like any other skill in the game. So they’re a really good package.”

After their worst start to a season this year, with two wins and three losses, Kurdas added that not only was their ability to adjust within the season a strong advantage, but Starcevich was able to get them psychologically fit and firing at the right times.

“He’s able to get them up and going and mentally,” she said.

“Mentally switched on and ready to go at the right time. So you feel like they’re outside of North Melbourne at the moment, you feel like they’re the (in) form team.”