AFL Round 16 live updates: Brisbane vs Sydney at the Gabba — blog, scores and stats - Australia News Beep

The defending champions, Brisbane, face a tough task at home against the Swans, who get two key players back for the clash at the Gabba.

The Lions are in eighth spot and will not want to lose and fall further behind the automatic finals places.

But second-placed Sydney gets a personnel boost, with the return of star midfielder Errol Gulden and key defender Tom McCartin.

Follow all the action in our live blog.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 7:51pm

AFL Thursday Scoreboard Andrew McGarry profile image Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 8:26pm

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 8:26pm

Another goal as Lions unstoppable inside 50 Andrew McGarry profile image

This is getting out of hand here for Sydney.

The Lions are winning everything, and they are finding targets around or inside 50.

Zac Bailey is the one this time, and after a bit of to and fro with the Swans and the umpire, he takes the set shot – and drills it!

The lead is 27 points, and the Swans need to answer RIGHT NOW.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 8:22pm

Logan Morris does it again as Brisbane kicks clear Andrew McGarry profile image

Brisbane has steadied here at the Gabba in the second term.

The Swans started strongly in the middle, but the Lions are taking control here.

Logan Morris gets the ball in the right forward pocket, and he slots it for Brisbane! Alarm bells for Sydney, the lead is out to 19 points.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 8:16pm

Eric Hipwood answers for Brisbane! Andrew McGarry profile image

That was an interesting forward entry for Brisbane, a shot from the left forward pocket sprayed right and looked set to go out on the full.

But Eric Hipwood came from nowhere to mark on the stretch deep in the opposite pocket.

And Hipwood kicks one from a difficult angle! Lions back to 10 points.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 8:13pm

Charlie Curnow kicks an important goal for Sydney Andrew McGarry profile image

The second quarter has been going for a few minutes, and the Swans have been pushing hard at the centre clearances.

The Lions defence have been under pressure, and Sydney has found Charlie Curnow in the right forward pocket.

Can he convert? He can! The Swans close within four points early in the second.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 8:09pm

QT stats Andrew McGarry profile image Clearances: 12-9 BrisbaneCentre clearances: 4-3 SydneyContested possessions: 35-34 SydneyUncontested possessions: 58-48 SydneyThu 25 Jun 2026 at 8:06pm

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 8:06pm

QT: Brisbane 4.1 (25) leads Sydney 2.3 (15) Andrew McGarry profile image Cam Rayner of the Lions celebrates a goal during the round 16 AFL match between Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans at The Gabba, on June 25, 2026, in Brisbane, Australia. Cam Rayner kicked one of four Lions goals in the opening quarter (Getty Images/AFL Photos)

James Rowbottom kicked a late goal for Sydney, but a scrappy final 30 seconds ends with time running out.

The Swans would be happy enough to have got that margin back to 10 points, as the Lions have been the better team so far.

The options up forward for Brisbane are much more dangerous, and Sydney’s big men have not been near it so far.

It might be a night for the old crew of Heeney, Warner and Gulden to kick some goals.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 8:02pm

Lions answer through Jarrod Berry Andrew McGarry profile image

Anything you can do, we can do better, say the Lions…

They get their clearance and switch to the right wing.

Logan Morris leads up and takes the mark, then goes inside 50 to Jarrod Berry, who makes up for his dropped mark, taking the grab and kicking Brisbane’s fourth goal of the night.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 7:59pm

Swans on the board with goal from Chad Warner Andrew McGarry profile image

The Swans raised the pressure just then, forcing a dropped mark from Jarrod Berry. Sydney swooped, and Chad Warner kicked a low burner of a shot through from the edge of 50.

Sydney get their first goal, and it’s back to 10 points!

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 7:57pm

Lions kick clear with goal to Logan Morris Andrew McGarry profile image

This is a strong start from Brisbane!

The Lions are getting the openings here, and they’re taking them.

A mark to Logan Morris inside 50 (a warning sign for Sydney right there) and the Lions young gun kicks his first!

The Lions lead by 16 points close to quarter time.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 7:55pm

Tough start for Sydney Andrew McGarry profile image

The Swans are getting frustrated here.

They just tried the same move as earlier, switching from the right side of 50 to the left.

It didn’t work for Errol Gulden, but Isaac Heeney finds Sam Wicks.

Wicks thumps a kick from 50, but again it drifts wide.

It’s 2.0 to 0.3.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 7:53pm

A miss from Sydney Andrew McGarry profile image

A bit better there from Sydney, they get clear and a quick kick away to Caiden Cleary inside 50.

He marks, but the kick drifts to the left, and the Swans are still waiting for their first major near time on in the opening quarter.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 7:50pm

Brisbane gets back-to-back goals Andrew McGarry profile image

This game was such an arm-wrestle for half the quarter, it’s not surprising that once one goal was kicked, another followed soon after.

Better transition there from Brisbane, and a kick from deep in the pocket to the square, it comes off hands and Cam Rayner burst through and kicks it!

Two goals to nothing for the Lions.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 7:47pm

Finally Brisbane gets the first goal through Charlie Cameron Andrew McGarry profile image

Ok, there it is!

The Lions break free, and Irishman Conor McKenna (who has been solid down the wings so far), hits up Charlie Cameron in the right forward pocket.

And Charlie kicks it!

Country Roads kicks off in the stands, and the Lions are away!

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 7:45pm

No one making the break here Andrew McGarry profile image

There’s still no goals nearly halfway through the opening term.

Both teams are feeling each other out here, there are plenty of tough tackles going in, and not much time on the ball.

James Jordon just hacked the Swans inside 50 only for the ball to be intercepted near the goal line.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 7:42pm

Swans going chip-mark style early Andrew McGarry profile image

The Lions are winning the clearances so far, but Sydney are chipping it around as we said.

They have 18 marks to Brisbane’s four, and 37 uncontested possessions to 16 for the Lions.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 7:40pm

Swans get first score, a rushed behind Andrew McGarry profile image

The Swans finally open the scoring with an interesting move inside 50. The ball went long to the square and was rushed through.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 7:39pm

First kick from Gulden chopped off by Lions Andrew McGarry profile image

The Swans are getting more involved here, and they had a chance there, with Errol Gulden having the ball on the edge of 50.

He tried to switch up the play to the left side of the arc, but it was chopped off by Charlie Cameron and Brisbane cleared.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 7:37pm

Swans going slowly, Lions have a need for speed Andrew McGarry profile image

So far, the Lions have the first three inside 50s of the game.

They are prioritising fast movement to try and catch Sydney off-time. But the Swans are moving it quick to the middle, and then chipping it round looking for openings.

Still no score, five minutes in.

Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 7:34pm

Lions getting early clearances Andrew McGarry profile image

The Lions make a strong start, with Lachie Neale getting the early clearance and sending them inside 50.

The Swans are under pressure and they hack it clear, but Brisbane is definitely on early here.

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AFL Round 16 live updates: Brisbane vs Sydney at the Gabba — blog, scores and stats

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