Brisbane lean on experience as three-peat looms against Fremantle

Brisbane are one win from three straight flags. Coach Chris Fagan says the Lions should use everything they have learned to get it.

Brisbane booked a fourth straight AFL grand final with a nine-point thriller over Hawthorn on Saturday evening. They won 20.11 (131) to 19.8 (122) at the MCG, in the preliminary final — the knockout match that decides who reaches the decider.

It was fast and loud. The crowd of 97,835 saw Hawthorn small forward Nick Watson kick six goals to keep his side in it to the end. Fagan later backed a big late umpiring decision as the correct call after the Lions held on, according to AFL.com.au.

Next is Fremantle. The Dockers finished as minor premiers, meaning they ended the home-and-away season on top of the ladder, and will meet Brisbane at the MCG next Saturday in the grand final, the competition decider, according to ABC News.

The form line is simple. Fremantle beat Brisbane by 25 points at the Gabba on May 30. That was a long time ago. September is different.

Fagan's message is also simple. Trust experience. He said his players know the week, know the noise, and will not be intimidated by the occasion.

The numbers back him. All but two of the 23 Lions who faced Hawthorn have played in a premiership — only recruits Oscar Allen and Sam Draper have not. Fremantle has just three premiership players in Shai Bolton, Luke Jackson and Mason Cox.

A Brisbane win would put the club alongside its own 2001-03 side and Hawthorn of 2013-15 as the only modern teams to win three in a row. This group knows both sides of a grand final. They lost the 2023 decider to Collingwood by four points before starting this run.

There could be one change for the decider. Defender Noah Answerth missed the Hawthorn win with an ankle injury and is a possible recall.

For fans, this means a classic contrast. Fremantle are chasing the club's first premiership, according to news.com.au. Brisbane are chasing history. The Dockers have youth and momentum. The Lions have the memory of how to finish it.