Arabic version: بريزبن وأديلايد في مواجهة حاسمة بنصف نهائي دوري كرة القدم الأسترالية

According to The Guardian, Brisbane will host Adelaide at the Gabba in an AFL semi-final with a preliminary-final meeting with Hawthorn on the line. The two-time reigning premiers are seeking a third consecutive title after their qualifying-final loss to Sydney forced them onto the longer finals route.

Brisbane had secured third spot and a home qualifying final against Sydney, but were outworked in a heavy defeat. The Lions conceded 141 points, their highest total allowed in 21 finals under coach Chris Fagan. They have conceded nine triple-figure scores this season and more than 20 goals in three of their past 14 matches.

The Lions’ midfield, normally led by the league’s top-ranked centre-clearance player Lachie Neale, struggled against Sydney. Brisbane were outscored 39-6 from centre ball-ups, while Neale, Will Ashcroft and Hugh McCluggage were below their usual standards. Their turnover defence is also under scrutiny, with Brisbane ranked in the bottom four for points conceded from turnovers.

Adelaide arrive after ending a nine-year wait for a finals victory by holding off Western Bulldogs. The Crows have won 10 of 13 matches since their mid-season bye, including victories over Geelong and Sydney. Their defence ranks second for points conceded this year, though they are in the bottom four for defensive-50 to inside-50 chains.

The Crows have won only two of 10 matches against Brisbane since 2018 and have lost all five meetings at the Gabba in that period. Izak Rankine enters in strong form, averaging 36 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals over his past four matches. Brisbane will look to Neale to rebound after he had 18 disposals and two clearances against Sydney.