Saturday’s AFL 2017 Round 23 match is between Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne Kangaroos. The opening bounce is set to commence at 14:10 local time with the game to be played at Gabba. The home team Brisbane Lions are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne Kangaroos.
When: 14:10 | Saturday 26/08/2017
Where: Gabba
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Preview:
Rival coaches Chris Fagan and Brad Scott are adamant that they want to finish the season with a win. But is there a loser, given it means finishing last and the No.1 draft pick? The fact that the Lions start favourites shows how far they have come in the second half of the season. North have not been horrible – five losses by a goal or less killed them – but they are limping to the line with a three-game losing streak and an extensive injury list.
Key: North onballer Ben Cunnington was massive last week in the loss to St Kilda, racking up 36 disposals. With Jack Ziebell sidelined, he must shoulder more responsibility against the Daynes – Beams and Zorko.
Tip: Lions by 20 points
Odds:
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Tip: Brisbane Lions at $1.42
Value Bet: First Goal Kicker: Tom Rockliff at $13.00
More Info:
Head to head: Lions 20 Kangaroos 30 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 2, 2016 – Kangaroos 17.15 (117) bt Lions 11.17 (83) at Gabba
Tab Sportsbet: Lions $1.50 Kangaroos $2.60
William Hill: Lions $1.47 Kangaroos $2.65
Teams:
LIONS 
B: D.McStay, H.Andrews, D.Rich
HB: D.Gardiner, J.Walker, S.Mayes
C: H.McCluggage, D.Zorko, R.Bastinac
HF: L.Taylor, M.Close, J.Allison
F: R.Lester, E.Hipwood, J.Barrett
FOL: S.Martin, T.Rockliff, D.Beams
I/C: C.Beams, N.Robertson, A.Witherden, R.Mathieson
EMG: B.Keays, C.Cox, T.Cutler
Unchanged
KANGAROOS 
B: S.Durdin, R.Tarrant, D.Mountford
HB: S.Atley, S.Thompson, R.Clarke
C: A.Swallow, L.McDonald, S.Gibson
HF: N.Hrovat, B.McKay, K.Turner
F: S.Higgins, B.Brown, J.Simpkin
FOL: T.Goldstein, T.Dumont, B.Cunnington
I/C: J.Anderson, L.Hansen, L.Thomas, A.Mullett
EMG: J.Williams, N.Larkey, C.Zurhaar
IN: L.Hansen, L.Thomas, A.Mullett, J.Anderson, B.McKay
OUT: J.Ziebell, T.Garner, D.Nielson, B.Preuss, C.Zurhaar
AFL News:
Retiring showstopper Steve Johnson is no guarantee to deliver a Geelong encore, although Greater Western Sydney know his case for a recall is compelling.
Saturday’s AFL clash at Simonds Stadium is the clear highlight of the final round of the regular season.
Third-placed Geelong host the second-placed Giants in a high-stakes match, with the winner securing a top-two finish.
Their most recent meeting was a draw, while the prospect of both sides returning to the same venue in week one of the finals is on the cards.
There are subplots aplenty but the most fascinating shapes as Johnson, who has confirmed this season will be his last.
Johnson won three flags and featured in 253 games with Geelong before joining GWS.
Johnson (knee) and Rory Lobb (groin) both trained well on Wednesday, leaving Giants coach Leon Cameron with some big calls to make.
Cameron admitted on Wednesday that Johnson is no longer the automatic selection he once was.
But he also spoke at length about the 34-year-old’s intimate knowledge of the Cattery and burning desire to upset the hosts.
“There’s an added incentive because it’s his old team,” Cameron said.
“If a player comes from another footy club I think every coach would be telling fibs if they said they didn’t take that into consideration.
“That information … how and why are Geelong so good at home, he was a part of that. No doubt you tap into that.
“But we’ve also got to make sure we select the team that we think that can get the job done.”
The Giants, who have hit form at the right time of the year and will be shooting for a fifth victory on the trot, are yet to record their first win in Geelong.
Cameron didn’t attempt to downplay the importance of his club’s final fixture of the regular season.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to play another top-four team in the last round. Sometimes you don’t get that luxury,” he said.
“It’s going to be on .. there’s a lot on the line.
“Geelong at Geelong. That’s the pinnacle.”
The Cats have lost seven games in Geelong since the start of the 2008 season.
“They have been a big powerhouse over the years and it’s a fortress,” GWS co-captain Phil Davis said.
“We understand that but we think we’re in a really good position to go down there and hopefully get the four points and a home qualifying final.”
