I hate to say I told you so, but…
… actually, I am relishing saying that I told you so, and as the Brisbane Lions took the Sydney Swans apart at the Gabba, I wondered how more didn’t see it. You can read the evidence HERE.
Make no mistake, the Fox crew acted like they saw it coming.
They didn’t.
They acted like this was what they expected would happen.
It wasn’t, and a quick rewind to the start of their broadcast quickly put that to rest.
But I told you so. I put my money where my mouth was (which is better than putting my mouth where your money is, I guess) because the Lions are following a script that already saw them win a flag. And this part of the script, where they picked apart the Swans and denied them any easy access through the corridor, is one that they’ve already played out before.
The Lions dismantled a star-struck Sydney team, forcing them to work in congestion, and fasting on the errors they caused.
They pressured, harassed, and annoyed their red and white counterparts to the point it was as though the Swans felt the squeeze even when there was nobody around them. That’s what a premiership team can do. That’s how a premiership team can force an opposition into its shell, and damn-well keep them there.
It was professional, it was humbling, and it was a reminder that when you’re forming your opinions about which team will walk away with the flag in 2026, to discount the Brisbane Lions would be one of the dumbest decisions you could make.
Yes, Brisbane sent many reminders in this game, and it is with that in mind we take a look at exactly what they reminded us of as they disposed of the Sydney Swans.
Let’s jump into The Mongrel Review of this one.
This is just the introduction – the remainder of this article is for our members. They support me, and I provide for them. It’s a good deal.
Oh… a Mongrel paywall… the worst of all paywalls. We’re all in on the 2026 AFL season. Player articles, stats, awards, game coverage. Dump the mainstream lip service and dive into articles like this – you will never look back. If you don’t want to, that’s fine. I consider it your loss as we get into the grind of the season, and you’re stuck with the stuff that’s frustrated you for years.
