The second week of the 2025 AFL Finals series saw Brisbane and Hawthorn secure a spot in the preliminary finals with comprehensive victory against the Gold Coast Suns and Adelaide Crows.
Adelaide Crows go out in straight sets
After finishing the regular season on top of the ladder, the Adelaide Crows have become the first team since North Melbourne in 1983 to claim the minor premiership and go out in straight sets.
Falling to Collingwood by 24 points in the opening week of the finals, the result was even worse on Friday night when they were eliminated by the Hawthorn Hawks after losing by 34 points.
Failing to get into the contest, it was Hawks veteran forward and two-time All-Australian Jack Gunston who proved the difference, kicking five goals en route to leading his team to face Geelong for a spot in the Grand Final in what is expected to be a blockbuster clash.
As Gunston starred in the forward 50, midfielder and the club’s 2024 Best and Fairest, Jai Newcombe was arguably one of the best players on ground again, claiming 28 disposals, eight clearances and one goal.
“Just the way we played our footy in those finals was, not surprising, probably most disappointing in that we weren’t quite able to handle that pressure or that environment,” Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said.
“We’ll organically grow – we’re going to grow from this and we’re going to improve again next year.
“But like every side, our list management and our ability to try and add and acquire players from other clubs, or from other areas that we think will improve us – we continue to be very active in that space.
“It doesn’t mean you always get players. We’ve had a number of really strong years in that space and added some high level players, we’re going to continue to look at that.
“But we’d also look to back in our growth.”
Brisbane triumph in Queensland derby
Seen as the biggest match in Queensland in AFL history, it was the Brisbane Lions who triumphed over their “little brother” despite being without several star players due to injury.
After a disappointing loss to Geelong the week before, the Lions bounced back with authority, showcasing one of their best performances of the season in a 53-point thumping against the Suns as they prepare to face Collingwood in a rematch of the 2023 Grand Final.
Duo Kai Lohmann and Zac Bailey both kicked three goals each, while midfielder Hugh McCluggage led the disposal count with 33 possesions – Will Ashcroft, Jarrod Berry and Dayne Zorko were close behind him with over 25 possessions each.
“We’re probably a good side, we’re not a great side, at the moment,” Gold Coast coach Damian Hardwick said after the loss.
“That’s our job … to make sure we make that jump.
“We’ve got a developing squad that I think is going to be very exciting.
“The challenge, and the hardest part, is going from the top six, top eight, to the top four. That’s the jump we have to make.
“We’re under no illusions that’s going to be hard, but we’ve also changed the narrative of our footy club, which I think is the most important thing.”