1m agoFri 18 Jul 2025 at 9:29am
Can Charlie kick on for the Lions?
Damp track… hoping for a good match from players with a lower centre of gravity, aka the SMALLS. Hoping for a great performance from Charlie C, he seems to have been pretty quiet on the score sheets lately.
– Big Ben
Big Ben,
Charlie Cameron has had a quieter season so far, but he is coming off two three-goal games against Port Adelaide and Carlton.
Put it this way, I wouldn’t be banking on NOT hearing Country Roads a few times tonight!
6m agoFri 18 Jul 2025 at 9:24am
Dogs face stern test of top-eight credentials
The Bulldogs have a poor record against top-eight teams – they need to start turning that around tonight. (AAP)
There is no doubt that at their best, the Bulldogs are an extremely talented, dangerous side with the ability to put up big scores on opposing teams.
But aside from a leaky defence, the big issue this season for Luke Beveridge’s men has been their results against top-eight sides.
And that is why they started this round as the unseated player in a game of finals footy musical chairs.
The only top-eight side they have beaten is GWS back in round seven — but the Bulldogs have been unable to get past Collingwood, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Geelong, Hawthorn or Adelaide.
This doesn’t count the Fremantle Dockers, who are now in the top eight but were not when they beat the Sons of the West in the west in round four.
After tonight, they still have GWS and Fremantle to come — and if they want to make finals, they will have to reverse the trend and win at least one of those games.
12m agoFri 18 Jul 2025 at 9:18am
The heavy roller is out at the Gabba
It’s not Test time, but the stadium staff at the Gabba are bringing out the roller on the pitch – the only problem is that they are not flattening it out, but rather trying to squeeze some excess moisture out.
It should be fine by the bounce, but it will be interesting to see how players keep their footing and whether people can hang on to marks in these conditions.
15m agoFri 18 Jul 2025 at 9:15am
Teams are in for Lions vs Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have responded to last week’s loss to Adelaide by making three changes, focusing on defence.
Liam Jones comes in at full-back for his first game since round seven. He is joined by fellow intercept defender Luke Cleary, and small forward Lachie McNeil.
Josh Dolan is being managed, while Nick Coffield and Cooper Hynes are omitted.
The Lions have two changes, both enforced. Noah Answerth’s ruptured Achilles and Zac Bailey’s suspension mean they come out of the line-up. In come midfielder Sam Marshall and utility Bruce Reville.
The subs are Sam Marshall for Brisbane and Caleb Poulter for the Bulldogs.
26m agoFri 18 Jul 2025 at 9:04am
It’s still wet in Brisbane
(bom.gov.au)
Where I am, a few kilometres from the Gabba, it is HOSING down right now.
A look at the radar shows the earlier round of storms that have gone through towards the coast.
But there is still some reasonable rain coming for a little while yet – it may well clear up before the bounce at 7:40pm AEST.
31m agoFri 18 Jul 2025 at 8:59amIt’s been a wild night already at the Gabba
Aside from the home advantage for the Lions, a big factor in tonight’s game is being provided by the weather!
A decent-size storm started sweeping through Brisbane around 5:30pm local time, and there has been heavy rain, thunder, lightning and some hail in the areas around the Gabba.
Here’s a shot from the ground taken earlier by ABC Sport’s Zane Bojack. Officially, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Brisbane’s CBD and other parts of South East Queensland.
The teams were not allowed out on the ground for a while to do their warm-ups.
It’s ok now, but still wet out there.
We always hear about the magnificent draining qualities of the Gabba. We’re not usually testing them out in July!
Even if things do clear, it will make things interesting.
Which team benefits, do you think? Let us know in the comments.
39m agoFri 18 Jul 2025 at 8:51am
Welcome to Friday night footy
Good evening and welcome to ABC’s live online coverage of round 19 of the AFL.
It’s time for the first big clash of the round, with Brisbane hosting the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba.
The Lions are well entrenched in the eight and want to keep winning to hold their top two spot, while the Bulldogs are on the outside looking in, and they have to start beating their rivals for the finals if they are going to make it to September.
The Bont, Aaron Naughton, Ed Richards and Sam Darcy versus Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage, the Ashcroft brothers and Charlie Cameron — and a lot more. This one should be a cracker.
My name is Andrew McGarry and I’m delighted to take you through tonight’s action.