The Brisbane Lions are preparing to face Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Saturday’s preliminary final, aiming to extend their quest for a fourth consecutive grand final appearance. The Lions enter the match with growing confidence at the iconic venue, a sharp contrast to their previous struggles at the ground.

Levi Ashcroft, a second-year player and key contributor to Brisbane’s recent success, said the team embraces playing at the MCG. “We love playing at the ‘G,’” Ashcroft said following the Lions’ commanding 53-point semi-final victory over Adelaide. “The biggest games are at the ‘G’ and we want to be playing in them. We have confidence playing there.”

Brisbane’s history at the MCG was once marked by a significant losing streak, with the Lions dropping 11 consecutive games there between 2014 and 2022. After breaking the drought with a narrow semi-final win against Melbourne, the team suffered another four losses at the venue through the 2023 season—including defeats to Hawthorn, Melbourne, and Collingwood.

However, since the disappointment of the grand final last September, Brisbane has found newfound success at the MCG, posting a 9-3 record. Ashcroft, whose older brother Will celebrated a premiership win at the ground in 2024, joined him as a premiership player last year. While fans have witnessed Brisbane’s ascendancy, Levi Ashcroft said he is still becoming accustomed to success at the ‘G.’ “I’d like to start getting used to it,” he said. “I love playing at the ‘G—and we love going to Melbourne and playing there. Hopefully we can get a result again.”

Their opponent, Hawthorn, stands in the way of Brisbane’s bid for a three-peat. The upcoming clash is notable historically, as it marks the first September match between the two clubs since the 1986 preliminary final, when Fitzroy faced Hawthorn. Leading up to Round 11 last year, Brisbane had not defeated Hawthorn at the MCG in over 20 years.

As the Lions seek to maintain momentum on Australia’s biggest football stage, the match promises to be a pivotal contest in their pursuit of premiership glory.