Geelong vs Brisbane 2025: A Qualifying Final Full of Fire, Flair, and Controversy
Friday night football doesn’t get much bigger than this. Under the bright lights of the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 5, 2025, the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions clashed in a qualifying final that had everything — skill, physicality, controversy, and the renewal of a modern rivalry that has come to define AFL finals in recent years.
When the dust settled, it was Geelong who roared loudest, storming home with a commanding 38-point win, 112 to 74, securing a direct ticket to the preliminary final. For Brisbane, the reigning premiers, it was a sobering reminder of just how hard it is to stay at the top in Australian football.
But this was more than just a scoreline. It was a story of individual brilliance, umpiring debate, courage in the face of setbacks, and two clubs fighting to carve their place in football history.
A Rivalry Written in Finals Football
Geelong and Brisbane have become almost inseparable in September. In the past six years, the two clubs have now met four times in finals, each clash producing high-stakes drama. Brisbane had the upper hand in 2024, famously toppling Geelong in a preliminary final, while the Cats had taken revenge in earlier years.
This rivalry isn’t just about points. It’s about pride, redemption, and proving who holds the edge when it matters most. For Geelong, this match was a chance to show they weren’t just contenders — they were serious flag favourites. For Brisbane, it was an opportunity to defend their premiership credentials and silence critics questioning their ability to go back-to-back.
The MCG crowd, more than 80,000 strong, knew they were in for a classic. From the opening bounce, they weren’t disappointed.
First Half: Goals, Grit, and Umpiring Drama
The opening quarter was all about pressure. Geelong started with fierce intent, locking the ball inside their forward half and forcing Brisbane into mistakes. But for all their dominance, the Cats struggled to convert opportunities, allowing the Lions to stay in touch. When Charlie Cameron snapped truly, Brisbane’s travelling fans erupted, sensing their team could weather the storm.
Then came the controversy. Just before halftime, with Geelong building momentum, two free kicks to Cam Rayner left the stadium stunned. The first looked questionable; the second was described by commentators as “unbelievable.” Both resulted in goals and swung momentum Brisbane’s way.
Social media lit up. Words like “catastrophic umpiring” and “game-changing calls” flooded timelines. Even respected figures like Nathan Buckley labelled the decisions “disgraceful” and urged officials to be more mindful of the contest’s flow.
At halftime, Brisbane had clawed back into the contest, but the main talking point was no longer the football — it was the umpiring.
Second Half: The Cats Unleashed
If those controversial calls were meant to rattle Geelong, they had the opposite effect. The Cats returned after the break with a ruthless determination. Their midfield — led by the relentless Bailey Smith and the ever-crafty Patrick Dangerfield — simply overwhelmed Brisbane at the contest.
What made Geelong’s performance so impressive wasn’t just the brilliance of their stars. It was the spread of contribution. By the end of the night, the Cats had 13 different goalkickers — a rare feat in finals football and proof that this team is firing across all lines.
Defensively, Lawson Humphries was immense. At just 22, the Indigenous defender blanketed his opponent while also providing speed and composure coming out of defence. His backstory — leaving home at 13, overcoming challenges, and now thriving on the AFL’s biggest stage — made his performance even more inspiring.
By three-quarter time, Brisbane were on the ropes. Geelong’s pressure, skill, and hunger proved too much. The Lions needed something extraordinary in the final term, but it never arrived.
Brisbane’s Concerns: Injuries and Inconsistency
For Brisbane, the night brought more than just defeat. It exposed vulnerabilities that could shape the rest of their finals campaign. Star midfielder Lachie Neale limped off with a calf concern, sparking fears about his availability for next week’s semi-final. Without him fully fit, Brisbane’s midfield looks far less threatening.
Consistency is another worry. The Lions had beaten Geelong twice in the regular season, including a stunning 41-point win at GMHBA Stadium. But when the stakes were highest, they couldn’t replicate that form. Was it nerves? Fatigue? Or simply Geelong’s brilliance? Whatever the cause, coach Chris Fagan will need to find answers quickly.
The Human Stories: Resilience, Openness, and Representation
What sets this Geelong side apart isn’t just talent — it’s the personal stories that underpin their success.
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Bailey Smith’s journey has been remarkable. After opening up about his time in a psychiatric ward last year, he’s spoken about how honesty and vulnerability made him a better teammate and player. Against Brisbane, his running power and ball use were elite. Off the field, his openness about mental health has made him a role model for young fans.
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Lawson Humphries, meanwhile, continues to inspire both on and off the field. His pride in his Indigenous heritage, his advocacy around health inequality, and his co-design of Geelong’s Indigenous guernsey show how football can be a platform for cultural pride and social impact. Against Brisbane, his defensive display reminded everyone he’s not just a symbolic figure — he’s a star in the making.
These human stories connect fans to the game. They remind us that behind every goal and tackle are players who’ve faced battles and emerged stronger.
Fan Reactions: Joy, Frustration, and Everything In Between
As always, finals football sparked raw emotion. Geelong fans celebrated wildly, with many declaring “the Cats are back” across social media. The sight of veterans and youngsters sharing the goal-scoring load gave supporters belief that another premiership could be on the horizon.
Brisbane fans, meanwhile, were left frustrated. Some pointed to the umpiring as a turning point, while others admitted their side simply didn’t match Geelong’s intensity. The injury to Neale added another layer of anxiety, with many fearing their premiership defence might be slipping away.
What This Means Going Forward
For Geelong, this win is a massive statement. They now enjoy a week off, a chance to freshen up, and a direct ticket to the preliminary final. In September football, that advantage is priceless. It means they’re just one win away from the grand final, while rivals must fight through bruising elimination matches.
For Brisbane, the path has suddenly become much tougher. They’ll face the winner of an elimination final next week, with no margin for error. Lose, and their season ends. Win, and they’ll need to claw their way back to the grand final the hard way. The Lions have shown resilience before, but questions remain about whether they can go the distance two years in a row.
Final Thoughts
The Geelong vs Brisbane qualifying final of 2025 will be remembered for many reasons: Geelong’s ruthless second half, the umpiring controversies that sparked debate, the individual stories of resilience and representation, and the reminder that in finals football, reputations count for little — it’s what you deliver on the day that matters.
For Geelong, this was a night to savour, a night that reaffirmed their status as genuine contenders. For Brisbane, it was a setback, but not yet the end of their story. Finals are about resilience, and the Lions will need plenty of it in the weeks ahead.
As fans filed out of the MCG, one thing was clear: Australian football is alive and well, and when Geelong and Brisbane collide in September, sparks always fly.
