{
  "id": 9822409,
  "title": "Lions list changes but machine the same ahead of fourth grand final",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/lions-list-changes-but-machine-the-same-ahead-of-fourth-grand-final",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T20:02:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-26/lions-changed-but-same-machine-for-fourth-grand-final/107194940"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Brisbane Lions have entered their fourth consecutive grand final appearance, displaying a relentless and exciting team that has gripped the league since the past five years. However, beneath the surface, the team has been gradually transforming, much like the Ship of Theseus. Over the four-year span, the Lions have featured 35 different players in their four grand finals, with only 11 players participating in all four games — less than half of their 23-man squad. This is consistent with the normal turnover in football teams over an extended period.\n\nDespite the changing roster, the Lions have retained many of their core characteristics. Coach Chris Fagan's distinct style, which has been instrumental in ensuring the team's success, remains a constant. The 2026 Lions remain a formidable team, even though their composition differs from the 2023 version. If they can win on Saturday, they would become the seventh VFL/AFL side to achieve three consecutive premierships.\n\nThe Lions have several distinct advantages. They kick the ball more than any other team in the competition and have done so since 2024. They also control the ball by finding marking targets through footwork, resulting in them taking more marks than any other team. The Lions defend against opposition marks exceptionally well, similar to a prime Roger Federer who controls the game by making their opponents run while maintaining their own composure.\n\nThe midfield group of the Lions is enviable, bolstered by the return of Lachie Neale, who may be playing his last game for the club. Their second layer and rotation midfielders are among the best in the league. The Lions can score from various parts of the ground but excel when maintaining possession in their own forward half. With an abundance of goal-scoring talent, seven core forwards average over a goal each, and Zac Bailey, along with the Ashcrofts, provide a wealth of change-of-pace options.\n\nThe Lions have also developed a reputation for scoring from stoppages inside 50, which puts pressure on opponents to play cleanly. This style of play has proven effective in preventing opposition teams from scoring easily, as past teams that conceded more than 100 points per game before reaching the grand final have generally lost the decider.",
  "summary": "The personnel may change but the machine largely stays the same for a Brisbane side going into a fourth straight grand final. Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson run the rule over the two-time premiers.",
  "key_points": [
    "Brisbane Lions enter fourth consecutive grand final",
    "35 different players featured in four grand finals",
    "Coach Chris Fagan's distinct style remains constant"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}