There are not many bigger tests in modern football than facing Brisbane at the Gabba, but Geelong will be looking to claim a big scalp as they head north for Thursday night football.

The Lions are one of the most efficient and damaging teams in the competition and have been for a number of years, playing a very distinct style that is well suited to the dimensions at the Gabba. 

It has also proven to be a tough matchup for the Cats in recent years, with Brisbane winning four of the last five games between the two sides. 

Geelong's record at the Gabba has varied recently, losing four of their last five matches at the venue and only averaging 55 points per game across that span.

Take a look through some of the strengths of Brisbane's game ahead of Thursday's clash, proudly presented by Deakin University. 

2026 Ladder 

Brisbane: 4th (6-3)
Geelong Cats: 5th (6-3)

Recent Games

2025, Grand Final - Geelong 11.9 (75) def. by Brisbane 18.14 (122)
2025, Qualifying Final - Geelong 16.16 (112) def Brisbane 11.8 (74)
2025, Round 15 - Geelong 6.15 (51) def. by Brisbane 14.8 (92)

Deakin Performance Stat of the Week 

Brisbane's Unique Style

The Lions kick the footy, a lot, and they have maintained that style right throughout their successful era. 

In 2024, Brisbane led the AFL with an average of 232.6 kicks per game and a kick rate of 64.4%, continuing that in 2025 with an average of 232.1 kicks per game which was also ranked first in the competition. 

It has proven to be a style that Geelong has struggled to contain.

In four meetings between the two teams last year, Brisbane won three times and finished +77 in kicks across those games. The Cats' only win came in the Qualifying Final and they finished with +10 kicks. 

Of course, it is not just about the kicks but more about how damaging they can be with them. The Lions converted it into the highest inside 50 count in 2025, sitting second for clangers per disposal rate and first for scoring from chains. 

All in all, stopping Brisbane's kicking prowess will be another tall task for Geelong, but it will be one they need to find an answer for on Thursday night. 

2025 AFL Team Stats - Brisbane

Shutting Down Lachie Neale

One asset for Brisbane is their plethora of superstars that can impact a contest, but none have been in better form so far in 2026 than Lachie Neale. 

With an average of 30.9 disposals and 7.3 clearances per game, Neale ranks fifth in the AFL for total disposals across the first nine weeks and third for clearances, sitting first in the competition for centre clearances. 

He also ranks fourth for contested possessions and second at Brisbane for total score involvements, able to have an impact around the contest and then breaking into space to help tick the scoreboard over. 

Geelong has had an answer for Neale in previous matches, holding him to an average of 24 disposals per game which is his lowest average against any opponent throughout his career. 

Neale will be a prime candidate and in the firing line for Oisin Mullin's next big challenge, but keep an eye on what the Cats decide to do on Thursday night. 

Finding Efficiency Inside 50

If there is one clear area that Geelong needs to improve on at the Gabba, it is their efficiency in attack and converting on the scoreboard. 

In their last five games at the Gabba, the Cats have a top score of 63 points and are only averaging 55 points per game, with their last 100+ score at the venue coming in the 2020 Semi Final against Collingwood. 

Geelong only kicked nine goals from 48 inside 50 entries in Round 3 last year at the Gabba, following on from 2024 where they also kicked nine goals from 57 inside 50s, while in 2023 they kicked just seven goals from 48 inside 50s. 

It is a vast difference to what the Cats produced last week, where they kicked 18 goals and recorded 32 scoring shots from 52 inside 50s. 

So far in 2026, Geelong rank second in the AFL for goals per inside 50 and scores per inside 50, something they will need to emulate against the Lions this week.