The expert predictions
Jimmy Bartel
Brisbane Lions by 35 points.
The teams are evenly matched, but the firepower of the Lions’ forward pack will be too much for Freo in the end.
Norm Smith Medal: Jaspa Fletcher (Brisbane Lions)
Libby Birch
Brisbane Lions by 17 points
The Lions’ experience and understanding of what grand final week demands will get them over the line against an opponent with only three players who have played in a decider. Could it be the best three-peat yet?
Norm Smith Medal: Kai Lohmann (Brisbane Lions)
Wayne Campbell
Brisbane Lions by 23 points.
The Lions have played great football the past two weeks and have been here before. Fremantle’s time will come.
Norm Smith Medal: Zac Bailey (Brisbane Lions)
Michael Gleeson
Fremantle by 8 points
The Lions go in as favourites, particularly with Lachie Neale being free to play, but I’ve just got a feeling Fremantle – as the best team all year, albeit patchy in the finals – will have a sense of history-making destiny about them. It’s all a bit contingent on getting more out of Josh Treacy.
Norm Smith Medal: Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
Calum Jaspan
Brisbane Lions by 19 points
The Lions’ squad has four times as much finals experience as their opponents on Saturday. Freo’s relies on tall forwards and the last three grand finals have been decided by smalls.
Norm Smith Medal: Zac Bailey (Brisbane Lions)
Emma Kearney
Brisbane Lions by 19 points
The Lions just have too many weapons across the ground, particularly in the front half, which will be hard for Fremantle to stop. Their experience on grand final day will serve them well.
Norm Smith Medal: Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
Hannah Kennelly
Brisbane Lions by 10 points.
The Lions have been inconsistent this year, and I just think a three-peat is inevitable. Brisbane’s extensive grand final experience and midfield quality will overwhelm Fremantle.
Norm Smith Medal: Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
Sam McClure
Brisbane Lions by 18 points
I think the Lions’ experience and class across the ground will ultimately be too much, and they’ll take control of the game after half-time.
Norm Smith Medal: Logan Morris (Brisbane Lions)
Marc McGowan
Fremantle by 10 points
The Dockers have been the best team all season, are strong on every line, and already overcame finals adversity this year, so they seem well-placed to create club history. Freo have so many potential match-winners, and you need your guns to fire to win a grand final.
Norm Smith Medal: Hayden Young (Fremantle)
Jake Niall
Brisbane Lions by 10 points
The Dockers have sufficient midfield talent and defensive method against a freewheeling team that is defensively iffy. But the Lions have the small forward scoring-power, composure and belief to scrape home.
Norm Smith Medal: Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
Jon Pierik
Brisbane Lions by 11 points
The Lions have the midfield depth and composure to claim a hat-trick of flags. The worry for the Dockers is that they have won only three quarters through this finals series.
Norm Smith Medal: Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions)
Danny Russell
Fremantle by 7 points
History beckons. While footy fans are still giddy over the Lions’ victory in a preliminary final shootout, they have forgotten that Fremantle’s season has been underpinned by defence. A stingy back line, and unicorn Luke Jackson, give the Dockers the edge to win the club’s first flag.
Norm Smith Medal: Luke Jackson (Fremantle)
Peter Ryan
Brisbane Lions by 22 points
The Lions’ forward line will overwhelm the Dockers’ defence if they get enough supply. Both midfields are full of quality but the Lions’ small forwards inside 50 are more dangerous than the Dockers’ collection.
Norm Smith Medal: Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
Mathew Stokes
Brisbane Lions by 21 points
The Lions having more big-time players in the biggest moments will be the difference in the end.
Norm Smith Medal: Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions)
Caroline Wilson
Brisbane Lions by 17 points
The Lions are proven grand final performers with winners across every line. Fremantle were the best team all season but have looked brittle throughout September.
Norm Smith Medal: Logan Morris (Brisbane Lions)
Andrew Wu
Fremantle by 8 points
The Lions are the known commodity on grand final day but their habit of giving up big scores is a worry. The Dockers have the defensive soundness to squeeze the prolific Lions, the midfield muscle to get on top of Will Ashcroft, Josh Dunkley and co, and the forward prowess to score heavily in short periods. They also have Luke Jackson, the most powerful player on the field. The query is if the minor premiers have the temperament for the biggest stage, but they have shown great character in both their finals victories.
Norm Smith Medal: Shai Bolton (Fremantle)
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