After a strong end to the home & away season, the whiplash that has defined 2025 has returned - and this one hurts more than all the others combined. Following the most disappointing finals effort the Lions have turned in since 2022’s Prelim, our hopes of another September to remember have suddenly nosedived.

The news of Lachie Neale & Eric Hipwood’s season ending injuries only sours things further, with the growing optimism of the last few weeks suddenly feeling a long way away. And now, in a scenario that has felt unthinkable for much of the last fifteen years, we find ourselves preparing for a knockout semi-final… against the Suns.

We’re the first reigning premier to make the finals since Melbourne in 2022, who found themselves up against a young, ambitious QLD side who knocked them out in straight sets away from home. Will history repeat itself this weekend, or will the good side of the whiplash work its magic again, resigning Damien Hardwick to the same fate he faced the last time he coached a knockout final at the Gabba in 2022?    

Also this week:

-Mike recaps a wild 48 hours in Perth covering the first Suns final

-Is it finally time to return to two tall forwards?

-The AFLW Lions are following the same script as the men

And much more!