Latest news with #topfour
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Brisbane Lions keen to celebrate evergreen Dayne Zorko's 300th AFL appearance in style
It's not just a top-four spot Brisbane is playing for on Sunday night at the Gabba, with the Lions desperate to beat Hawthorn to ensure club stalwart Dayne Zorko celebrates his 300th AFL appearance in style. While the Lions are guaranteed to play finals football next month, a loss to the Hawks in what will also be Brisbane forward Charlie Cameron's 250th AFL match could result in the reigning premiers finishing as low as eighth depending on other results in the final round of the regular season. 'We clearly want to be playing good footy and be in good form, and we also are chasing a result to get us the top-four spot,' Lions defender Ryan Lester said on Tuesday. 'Most of our stuff really comes down to effort and attitude throughout the year. The games we've lost, generally the opposition play better than us, and credit to them, but we feel like sometimes we probably haven't turned up mentally, so you'd like to think that this close to finals, that won't be the case. 'And obviously we've got a bit to play for with 'Zorks'' 300th and Charlie's 250th this week, which adds to it as well, so it's a very exciting week.' Lester isn't only a teammate of Zorko but also his brother-in-law, with the bond between the pair also having grown since Zorko's permanent move into Brisbane's backline from the midfield. The switch has worked wonders for the Lions and the 37-year-old Zorko, who has made 60 successive appearances for Brisbane since July 2023. 'The last couple of years has been a real pleasure having him in the backline,' Lester said. 'I didn't know when he moved there whether it would work out, but his attacking weapons and his kicking is just phenomenal, his ability to make a quick decision and hit a kick. 'He's lots of fun to play with, and all credit to him, he's been an amazing player for a long time.' 'He does it his way, which is why he's such a good player. He's got a lot of self-belief, and you need it in this game.' Lester's own form also continues to shine. After missing Brisbane's two-point home loss to Sydney on August 9 due to concussion protocols, he returned with a memorable display – including his first goal in almost two years – in the Lions' 57-point away win over Fremantle last Friday night. Lester was relieved after converting the set shot knowing it would please his four-year-old son Romeo. 'Romeo wants me to kick goals, so before every game, I give him a call and he says, 'Dad, are you going to kick a goal today?' and I say, 'Yeah, I'll kick one', and in the backyard, we do some extravagant celebrations. '(Kicking the goal) actually relieved a bit of pressure from me. When I was having the shot, I was thinking, 'Well, I'm not going to get many of these, so I need to take it for him', so I was glad I could.' Forward Kai Lohmann, who has been sidelined with a calf injury, is set to return against the Hawks, but the Lions will be without Eric Hipwood, who suffered his own calf injury against the Dockers. Whether the Lions gamble on the fitness of midfielder Jarrod Berry (shoulder) remains unknown, while co-captain Lachie Neale (quad) is being kept on ice for the start of Brisbane's finals campaign.
ABC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
AFL live: Gold Coast vs GWS, Carlton vs Port Adelaide, Hawthorn vs Melbourne, Adelaide vs Collingwood
The Gold Coast Suns are hosting the GWS Giants in a crucial clash for both the make up of the top four and the finals. Later, Carlton and Port Adelaide face off, Hawthorn hosts the Demons, before a top-of-the-table clash between the Crows and Magpies. And the AFLW, round one continues with three games on the calendar, starting from 3:35pm. Follow all the action in our live blog below, check out all the stats in the full ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Road warrior Lions set sights on crashing AFL top-four
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan says he's a relieved man after watching his team secure a finals berth for a seventh straight year -- and now he wants them to go chase a prized top-four berth. The Lions booked their spot for September with a crushing 57-point win over Fremantle in Perth on Friday night. The 15.11 (101) to 5.14 (44) win improved Brisbane's record to 15-6-1 with just one more match to go - a tough fixture against Hawthorn at the Gabba next week. Seven years in a row of #AFLFinals appearances 👏 — AFL (@AFL) August 15, 2025 Brisbane's finals hopes would have been on thin ice had they lost to Fremantle, and Fagan was thrilled with the win on enemy territory. "It's a big relief," Fagan said. "I was sitting in my hotel room today thinking, 'if we lose tonight and we lose next week, we could miss finals having 14 wins and a draw - that's unheard of'. "But it was just a relief to have that out of the way. And it allows us to plan a little bit forward. "This is our seventh year in a row that we've qualified for finals. That's hard to do, particularly if you're an interstate club because you've got to travel more and there's a few more obstacles." Brisbane won the flag from fifth place last year. Fagan would love to see the Lions secure a double chance by finishing in the top-four this time around. "I'm sure it'll drive the group - that desire to finish top-four," he said. "I mean, there's probably 1001 different ways the ladder could end up next week, but we're in control of our own destiny." Brisbane have won 17 of their past 21 games away from home - a remarkable feat. "So we just should travel somewhere and play next week, to be honest," Fagan quipped. One major downer to come out of Friday's win was a dislocated shoulder to midfielder Jarrod Berry. Jarrod Berry left the field after this incident with Andrew Brayshaw.#AFLFreoLions — AFL (@AFL) August 15, 2025 Berry's left shoulder popped out when he was bowled over by Andrew Brayshaw in the final quarter, and it remains to be seen whether it will be a season-ending injury. "His other shoulder is the one he's had operated on ... so now the other one's popped out," Fagan said. "I don't know the full extent. Obviously, there'll be scans and stuff like that. "It didn't look good. But sometimes they can find a way to strap them up and get them through the season and have an operation at the end of the year."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Premier League top four odds: Latest Premier League top 4 odds 25/26 season
The 2025/26 Premier League season will once again provide great intrigue in the battle for the top four places in the standings. As with any season, the race for the top four will provide an intriguing backstory to the season, with this competition having become one of the most intriguing facets of each season. With top four guaranteeing Champions League football for next season, it is as valuable as winning a trophy for many teams, with the race having become more open in recent seasons as new clubs have broken up the previous dominance of the big six. Clubs such as Aston Villa and Newcastle United have featured in the Champions League in recent season, helped by the fact that the Premier League earned an extra Champions League place last season based on Uefa co-efficient ranking, allowing the league's top five clubs to qualify. But ahead of 2025/26, the top four will be the dream target for most of those sides not involved in the battle for the league title. And this page will detail the latest Premier League top four odds for the 2025/26 season. We use the best odds from Premier League betting sites to offer readers optimum value on wagering on the new campaign. Readers will find the best value Premier League top 4 odds on this page, with live odds that will update regularly throughout the season – so make sure to bookmark this page to stay up to date with the best prices. All top 4 Premier League odds come from our recommended betting sites, all of which are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Premier League Top Four Odds Find the latest Premier League Top four odds here. Since 2001, the top four clubs in the Premier League have been able to qualify for next season's Champions League, with previous years only allowing three teams. Before 1998/99, only the winner of the domestic league qualified for Europe's top competition. That means that the race for the top four has been very important since the early 2000s, and while oringally that race was dominated by sides like Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, in recent years teams including Aston Villa, Newcastle, Spurs and even Everton have been able to qualify, with the balance of power having shifted notably in recent years, In 2025/26, Villa and Newcastle are set to challenge again, with Brighton and Nottingham Forest perhaps putting up a fight for the top four as they did last season. The usual title-challenging suspects will likely occupy the top two or three places at least, with Chelsea hoping to sustain more of a challenge and Spurs and Manchester United hoping to improve from unprecedented seasons last term. Season Premier League Top Four Clubs 2024/2025 Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea 2023/2024 Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa 2022/2023 Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle United 2021/2022 Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur 2020/2021 Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea Premier League Top Four Odds Explained Customers will find the best Premier League top four odds using the best football betting sites online for Premier League betting. Our recommended betting sites are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, ensuring that users have a safe and fair betting experience. Check back to find the latest top four Premier League odds as prices shift depending on transfers, form, injuries and more. There are always offers for free bets provided by betting sites for wagering on the Premier League top four race too, so be sure to check regularly in order to take advantage of these bonuses online. Responsible Gambling Bettors should always practice responsible gambling. When using gambling sites be aware that sports betting can be addictive. Please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget. The same applies whether you're using new betting sites, slot sites, casino sites, casino apps, betting apps, or any other gambling medium. Always remain within a budget and never exceed it. Never chase your can lose a bet even if they know a lot about the Premier League. Remain in control of your time and betting. Bettors can use responsible gambling tools provided by betting sites such as deposit limits, loss limits and self-exclusion among others. Healthcare providers and charities are also available if needed: NHS Help GambleAware Gamblers Anonymous We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
News.com.au
12-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Darcy Gardiner keen to taste premiership glory after missing Brisbane's 2024 grand final win
Long-time Lions defender Darcy Gardiner has more reason than most of his teammates for wanting Brisbane to find its premiership spark from last season. The Lions have fallen out of the top four after losing two of their past three games and still need a win from their remaining two regular season matches – which include Friday night's clash against fourth-placed Fremantle in Perth – to guarantee themselves a top-eight berth. 'We're in this position now where we have to win – that's all there is to it for us,' said Gardiner, who debuted for Brisbane in 2014 and has made 177 AFL appearances for the club. Securing a top-eight berth would give the Lions a shot at reaching three successive grand finals and securing back-to-back flags. Gardiner played in Brisbane's four-point loss to Collingwood in the 2023 decider but missed out on last season's premiership success after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in May last year. Ironically, a season-ending knee injury suffered by Jack Payne two months ago gave Gardiner the chance to reclaim a permanent spot in Brisbane's backline, and the 29-year-old Queenscliff product is desperate for a chance to play in a winning grand-final team. 'It was disappointing last year … but it was still great for the club to win (the flag),' he said. 'I've got an opportunity now to have a crack at it if things go to plan. I'm pretty hungry. I'm at the pointy end of my career as well. 'I'm certainly not going to leave any stone unturned – that's for sure.' A run of six successive AFL appearances has Gardiner feeling settled and match-hardened. 'I'm starting to dust the cobwebs off, and I'm not blowing down the house out there as much … and I'm building that relationship and synergy with the other guys down there (in the backline) and just working well with them,' he said. However, the 'synergy' is being tested, with the Lions having been without four of their 2024 grand final defenders – Payne, Ryan Lester (concussion), Brandon Starcevich (hamstring) and Noah Answerth (achilles, season) – in their two-point loss to Sydney last Saturday night at the Gabba. 'We've seen in the past we've had guys come in, played roles and got it done. We think it happened on the weekend, we just didn't get the result,' Gardiner said. Lester is set to return against the Dockers, but a decision is reportedly yet to be made on Starcevich. Brisbane's injury list also includes co-captain Lachie Neale (quad), forward Kai Lohmann (calf), defender Keidean Coleman (quad) and utility Conor McKenna (hamstring).
