<p>Who wants the double chance in September? That’s the headline for Sunday night’s clash between Brisbane and Hawthorn.</p> <p>The winner will lock in a top-four finish and the all-important double chance in finals—even if it means starting September on the road.</p> <p>It’s not doom and gloom at all for the loser. They’ll still feature in September and will most likely host a final in the first week. No safety net though—just straight-up elimination footy. Which, strangely, might actually suit both these teams.</p> <p>The Lions proved last year that playing with ‘no tomorrows’ brought out their best—riding that wave all the way to the flag. And when faced with the possibility of becoming the third reigning premier in a row to miss finals altogether, the year after they won it, they responded with their best footy of the season—comfortably beating fellow contender Fremantle away from home.</p> <p>The Hawks, meanwhile, are peaking at the right time. After a bit of a mid-season wobble, they’ve now won four of their last five, with the only loss coming against Adelaide in a game where they were seriously impressive.</p> <p>They looked like they were having the time of their lives last Saturday night against Melbourne, piling on the pain.</p> <p><br /> Jack Gunston continued his renaissance season with a career-best haul of seven goals—cracking the 60-goal mark for the year. And <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/afl/news/hawthorn-star-luke-breust-announces-afl-retirement">Luke Breust</a>, who announced his retirement earlier in the week, gave the fans a signature moment, slotting one and hearing the roar of the “BRUUUUUU” from the stands at the ‘G.</p> <p>If the earlier Dogs vs Dockers clash is the ‘play-in’ game, then this one is the finals dress rehearsal we’ve been waiting for—and a tasty teaser for what’s coming in September.</p> <p>It’ll also be a night of celebration at the Gabba, with Dayne Zorko set to play his 300th game—an incredible milestone, especially given he didn’t debut until he was 23. Charlie Cameron will also notch up his 250th game.</p> <p>Injury-wise, the Lions have been hit at the wrong time. Skipper Lachie Neale is still sidelined, and they’ll be without Eric Hipwood (calf), while Jarrod Berry (shoulder) is also in doubt.<br /> Kai Lohmann is expected to return from a calf injury, and his inclusion could influence whether Brisbane goes tall or small at the selection table.</p> <p>For the Hawks, Harry Morrison is in the mix after recovering from a quad strain picked up at training a few weeks ago.<br /> Josh Weddle continues to build back his fitness, but won’t have a firm timeline until next week’s scan. He’s hopeful to get minutes in Box Hill’s first final and push for AFL finals selection.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Lions vs Hawks prediction and preview below</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane vs Hawthorn Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Brisbane Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Dayne Zorko, Darcy Gardiner, Ryan Lester</p> <p>HB: Darcy Wilmot, Harris Andrews, Brandon Starcevich</p> <p>C: Jaspa Fletcher, Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry</p> <p>HF: Charlie Cameron, Sam Day, Zac Bailey</p> <p>F: Cam Rayner, Logan Morris, Callum Ah Chee</p> <p>Foll: Darcy Fort, Josh Dunkley, Will Ashcroft</p> <p>Int: Levi Ashcroft, Ty Gallop, Sam Marshall, Bruce Reville, Luke Beecken</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Hawthorn Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: James Sicily, Tom Barass, Blake Hardwick</p> <p>HB: Jarman Impey, Josh Battle, Jack Scrimshaw</p> <p>C: Karl Amon, Conor Nash, Massimo D’Ambrosio</p> <p>HF: Connor Macdonald, Calsher Dear, Nick Watson</p> <p>F: Jack Gunston, Mitch Lewis, Dylan Moore</p> <p>Foll: Lloyd Meek, Jai Newcombe, James Worpel</p> <p>Int: Changkuoth Jiath, Josh Ward, Mabior Chol, Jack Ginnivan, Luke Breust</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane vs Hawthorn Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Brisbane’s win over the Hawks at the MCG earlier this year broke a run of five successive defeats head-to-head.</p> <p>This will be the first time since 2019 that Hawthorn has travelled up to Brisbane. Which you would think would be a clear ‘advantage Lions’, but the Gabba hasn’t been the same fortress as it has been in recent seasons. Since the end of 2023 (a year where the Lions didn’t drop a game at home), the Lions have lost eight games at the Gabba.</p> <p>When the Hawks spent big in defence for Barass and Battle, it was for this moment in the season. The Hawks have elevated themselves to have the third-best defence in the competition and the fifth-best overall profile.</p> <p>The Lions, led by young spearhead Logan Morris, have the third-best attacking profile and sit third-best overall profile.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s a final before the final between two heavyweights. Backing the home side to win it for their milestone men.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-lions-v-hawthorn-9504847">Lions</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>It was a badly needed and well-timed return to form for Charlie Cameron last week.</p> <p>After three goalless weeks in a row, he bounced back with a bag of three.&nbsp;</p> <p>There’s only one way to kick off his milestone game, and that’s to get the crowd going with his classic John Denver tune nice and early.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-lions-v-hawthorn-9504847">Charlie Cameron</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Hawthorn vice-captain Dylan Moore is in an unbelievable patch of form.</p> <p>Averaging 26.2 disposals per game over the last five matches, he’s only had fewer than 25 touches once in those five weeks.</p> <p>He’s spending more time in the middle as part of the rotation, and will be used there going forward here and during the Hawks' finals run.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/brisbane-lions-v-hawthorn-9504847">Dylan Moore 25+ disposals&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions vs Hawthorn Hawks Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Sunday, August 24, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>7:20 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>The Gabba, Brisbane</p> <p><strong>How to watch: </strong>Channel 7, Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>