<p>It’s Friday night lights down at Kardinia Park as Geelong hosts the Lions in a blockbuster top-four clash.</p> <p>The Cats have found themselves in second position on the ladder, following a routine 95-point drubbing of Essendon, their fifth consecutive win. It was their most clinical performance of the season.&nbsp;</p> <p>Their opponents, the Lions, are in what can best be described as an irritating patch of form. Despite still sitting third on the ladder, the reigning premiers have only managed two wins from their past six games, which includes a draw against North Melbourne — where they really should have lost.&nbsp;</p> <p>They’ve dropped their past two games in a row against the Crows and then last week against the Giants at home, having kicked themselves out of both matches.&nbsp;</p> <p>There are reasons for the losses, but the results, or lack thereof, would be driving coach Chris Fagan spare. At least they’re still third and in a good position to defend their crown, but they need to start turning the ship around, starting with some goal-kicking practice for just about everyone.</p> <p>The Lions’ premiership defense suffered a big blow against the Giants with key defender Jack Payne going down with a season-ending patella injury, leaving a massive hole in the backline to be filled. It could open the door for last year's big free agent signing Tom Doedee to finally play his first match for the Lions since crossing over from the Crows. However, tall swingman Darcy Gardiner has been the preferred big man replacement all season, given his versatility at both ends, and is likely to get the nod.</p> <p>Preferred number one ruck Oscar McInerney made his return to footy last week after battling an undisclosed injury (despite being listed as an AFL emergency for the four weeks prior) and could be in line to reclaim his spot in the senior team.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Cats will face a significant change of their own with young defender Sam De Koning undergoing surgery this week after injuring his AC joint in the win over the Bombers. Aside from that, there’s no real need to panic down at Geelong with the team performing strongly.&nbsp;</p> <p>Adding to the occasion for the Cats, it’s their skipper Patrick Dangerfield’s 350th game. In his 10th year at the Cattery since crossing over from the Crows, the superstar is already a first-ballot Hall of Famer when he eventually hangs up his boots — but he’s out to enhance his legacy even further with a Cats team looking extremely capable this year.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Cats vs Lions prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Brisbane Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Geelong Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Connor O’Sullivan, Jack Henry, Jed Bews</p> <p>HB: Lawson Humphries, Tom Stewart, Zach Guthrie</p> <p>C: Mark Blicavs, Max Holmes, Ollie Dempsey</p> <p>HF: Shaun Mannagh, Shannon Neale, Gryan Miers</p> <p>F: Tyson Stengle, Jeremy Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield</p> <p>Foll: Rhys Stanley, Bailey Smith, Tom Atkins</p> <p>Int: Jack Martin, Mark O’Connor, Oisin Mullin, Brad Close, Mitch Duncan</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Brisbane Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Dayne Zorko, Darcy Gardiner, Ryan Lester</p> <p>HB: Noah Answerth, Harris Andrews, Brandon Starcevich</p> <p>C: Jaspa Fletcher, Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry</p> <p>HF: Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Will Ashcroft</p> <p>F: Cam Rayner, Logan Morris, Callum ah Chee&nbsp;</p> <p>Foll: Darcy Fort, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Neale</p> <p>Int: Levi Ashcroft, Sam Day, Zac Bailey, Darcy Wilmot, Kai Lohmann</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs Brisbane Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>The Lions hold sway in the recent head-to-head battles, winning three of the past five matches, including the past two.&nbsp;</p> <p>Geelong has elevated its game to have the best overall profile in the competition. They are second for ball movement and scoring chains, while their defence remains strong, ranked fourth in the league.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Lions' drop-off isn’t just isolated to their accuracy in front of goal. In the past five weeks, they have fallen off the perch defensively, ranking 12th in the competition over that time. Now, coming into a meeting with a rampaging Jeremy Cameron and an emerging Shannon Neale, it’s a tall order for Harris Andrews and his new partner in crime down back.</p> <p>Important defensive piece Brandon Stacevich made his successful return last week. Could Fages get funky and send him to the other end of the ground this week to quell one of the ‘Dash Brothers’?&nbsp;</p> <p>Bailey Smith and Max Holmes ran the show again for the Cats against the Bombers, Can they dine out again on the reigning premiers?</p> <p>The last two times that the Lions have ventured to the Cattery have been close games, filled with moments that have dominated the conversation for the rest of the week. We’re expecting similar here, but we think the home side gets up.&nbsp;</p> <p>After all, it’s Danger’s night. He’ll do everything in his power to make sure he walks off a winner.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-cats-v-brisbane-lions-9296623">Cats</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>It’s not just Danger’s milestone night. Star small forward Tyson Stengle will notch up his 100th game at AFL level on Friday night. It’s a remarkable journey across three clubs, in and out of trouble to becoming an All-Australian, premiership-winning small forward.</p> <p>We’re backing him to open the scoring.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-cats-v-brisbane-lions-9296623">Tyson Stengle</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>While we could flip a coin and side with whichever ‘Dash Brother’ it lands on, It’s hard to look past Bailey Smith here for most disposals.</p> <p>Coming off back-to-back season-high disposal counts of 38 and then 41, He’s nudging his PB. With the form he’s in, he might surpass that very soon.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/geelong-cats-v-brisbane-lions-9296623">Bailey Smith 30+ disposals</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Friday, June 20, 2025.</p> <p><strong>First bounce:</strong> 7:40pm&nbsp;AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> GMHBA Stadium, Geelong.</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports.</p>