<p>Welcome to The Huddle’s AFL Finals previews!</p> <p>After a long season and one of the tightest races ever to secure a place in the September action, we are down to the final eight teams that will battle it out for this year's AFL Premiership.</p> <p>As the September action heats up, we’re previewing every team that’s earned a spot in the finals. And, for the first time in a few years, the reigning premiers have made the finals and are a shot to defend their crown.&nbsp;</p> <p>They’ve performed all year being “the hunted”, but can they outlast everyone and be crowned ‘Kings of the Jungle’ yet again?</p> <p>For the latest news, analysis, picks, and betting tips, read our Brisbane Lions finals preview below!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions Road to the AFL Finals</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Originally slated to open the season and unfurl the flag nice and early, plans were put on hold as the Queensland weather decided to intervene and postpone the Opening Round clash.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Lions made a winning start to their premiership defence a week later, starting with a close win against the Swans away from home, kicking off an opening burst of five consecutive wins.</p> <p>But, they weren’t playing anywhere near their best footy, and that was exposed on Easter Thursday when Collingwood did a number on them up at the Gabba. Beating them soundly by 52 points.&nbsp;</p> <p>They bounced back with a pair of wins over the Saints first, and then in the sodden Q-Clash, before almost inexplicably dropping a game down in Tasmania to North Melbourne. They have a missed shot from Roos forward Cam Zurhaar to thank for them escaping with a draw and what would become a crucial two points.</p> <p>A loss the following week to the struggling Demons at home further brought into focus the way the Lions were playing.&nbsp;</p> <p>A pair of losses a few weeks later to the Crows away (where their famous goalkicking yips returned) and then falling over again to the Giants at home started to heighten the pressure on the reigning premiers.</p> <p>Four wins in a row around the bye looked to have settled things for the Lions, before a shock loss to Sydney, again up at the Gabba, suddenly put everything into jeopardy.&nbsp;</p> <p>Down on troops by this point, the Lions went to Fremantle and recorded a massive win to lock in finals. A win the following week over Hawthorn on the last game of Super Sunday secured the all-important double chance.&nbsp;</p> <p>Amid the inconsistencies in form, there were consistent injuries to key players. Kai Lohmann was in and out of the side with a spate of small setbacks, while important defender Brandon Starcevich has spent time on the sidelines dealing with some concussion issues.</p> <p>They have key players in a race against time to be fit for the first final, with captain Lachie Neale, spearhead Eric Hipwood, and important midfielder Jarrod Berry racing the clock to be fit for the September action.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions Players to Watch</h2> <h3>Hugh McCluggage</h3> <p>We love how this guy has elevated his game year on year.&nbsp;</p> <p>Poised to finally break his duck and be named All-Australian after four previous squad selections, his rise from becoming a damaging outside midfielder to a damaging inside midfielder has been in line with the Lions' ascension to the top.</p> <p>Widely regarded now as one of the best mids in the game, he’ll have a big role to play in September.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Cam Rayner</h3> <p>Rayner’s evolution as a player has seen him grow into one of the most damaging players in the competition.</p> <p>From being a player that you could get on top of early, and that would be it for the rest of the day, now it seems the longer the game goes without him having an impact, the more profound it will be when it comes.&nbsp;</p> <p>He’s priming himself for another big September campaign.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Logan Morris</h3> <p>He was the youngest man in the Lions' premiership team last year and has grown to be the main man in the absence of Joe Daniher.</p> <p>The young spearhead has kicked 48 goals from 22 games this season and has impressed everyone with his forward craft, marking power, and fleetness of foot.</p> <p>He’s the man that they are looking for in the forward line, particularly without Eric Hipwood in the early part of the Finals campaign.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Why can Brisbane win the AFL Premiership?</h2> <p>They’re the reigning premiers and have been to the biggest day in two of the past three years.</p> <p>When they’ve played their best football this year, it’s been some of the most brilliant and breathtaking in the competition.</p> <p>Additionally, the injuries sustained to some key players throughout the season have meant that they have exposed some of their depth and gotten them match-hardened, so should they (touch wood) be called upon for a crunch game, they have match fitness behind them.</p> <p>Despite playing away in week one, the MCG holds no fears for the Lions anymore. As reigning premiers, it will be hard to bet against them.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>What will hold Brisbane back from the 2025 AFL Premiership?</h2> <p>If they drop the first final to the Cats, then there’s some cause for concern that the reigning champs could be dumped out in straight sets.</p> <p>It’s been a weird run at the Gabba since they went undefeated at home in 2023. In a cutthroat final, against a quality team, they are at risk of falling over. If not, and they get a win, they’re on the road again.</p> <p>Then there’s always the concern of managing the injured guys and how many do you bring back and how right they are to go.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Prelim Final</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>How many AFL Premierships does Brisbane have?</h2> <p>Four.</p> <p>The merged Brisbane Lions Football Club has been to the<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/afl/news/most-afl-premierships"> top of the AFL mountain four times</a>. They lifted the cup last year, and previously, their famed three-peat in the early 2000s.</p> <p>It’s important we don’t ever forget the history of Fitzroy, the club they merged with. They won eight flags over their time in the VFL.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions Premiership Odds:</h2>