Brisbane demolished the Swans by 60 points in last year’s AFL Grand Final and triple premiership Lion Alastair Lynch is tipping the Lions to be even stronger in 2025. Watch your club in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Stream every round LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Lynch, who will be part of the Fox Footy commentary team at the SCG, is tipping Brisbane to beat the Swans, who are still without injured midfielder Errol Gulden. “I’m tipping Brisbane but can’t wait to see the response from the Swans after last week’s defeat to Hawthorn and coming up against the team that belted them in the grand final,” Lynch told news.com.au. “I feel Brisbane are well prepared over the pre-season and there won’t be a hangover. The confidence they got out of last year’s final series will be enormous for them.” New recruit Sam Day was expected to be named in the forward line following Joe Daniher’s retirement, but Brisbane said on Thursday he was unavailable for selection due to the death of his father. “It is with heavy hearts that the Brisbane Lions confirm Sam Day was unavailable for selection this weekend due to the sad passing of his father Chris, on Thursday,” the Lions said in a statement. “The entire Brisbane Lions family sends our deepest condolences to Sam and his loved ones during this difficult time, and we will continue to provide our unwavering support to them all. “All Brisbane Lions players, coaches and staff will wear black arm bands for Saturday’s match against the Sydney Swans. We kindly ask that the privacy of Sam and his family be respected as this difficult time.” Back-up ruckman Darcy Fort was selected in Day’s absence, while highly touted father-son pick Levi Ashcroft has been named on the bench as is reportedly expected to be the substitute in somewhat of a selection surprise. Lynch described Daniher’s retirement as a “huge out” and backed Day and Eric Hipwood to take up the key forward position. “Joe’s last four years, he’s been so important and especially last year. Every game late in the year, he played pivotal roles,” Lynch said. “I don’t think Brisbane will fill the void, I don’t think there’s any chance of that.” Lynch said he expected Brisbane to “give Sam Day every chance to play that role as they key forward and second ruck”. “I think they’ve got a few options — Sam Day, Eric Hipwood, or they could actually go small,” he said. “Some of their small and mid sized forwards play like key forwards. Kai Lohmann loves to mark the ball, Cam Rayner loves to jump at packs and lead. There’s plenty of options but you won’t be able to fill the gap left by Joe Daniher.” The Lions are welcoming back Darcy Gardiner, Keidean Coleman and Tom Doedee from ACL injuries, while Levi Ashcroft is expected to slot into the team immediately. “You can build a case their squad is stronger than last year,” Lynch said. “Levi Ashcroft looks a ready made professional footballer. That’s going to help the depth through the midfield. “There’s a chance they’re stronger. I see a lot of good signs they’ll put themselves in contention for another premiership. There are four games on Saturday and Fox Footy is the only place to watch them as part of the Super Saturday coverage. In 2025, Fox Footy will be the only place to watch AFL exclusively live on Saturdays in Victoria and Tasmania for the whole home and away season, and nationally for at least the first eight rounds. Fox Footy will have its own commentary team for every single game of the round. Sport fans won’t have to get off the couch for 72 hours as Kayo Sports has wall-to-wall sporting action across the weekend as the winter codes kick off in earnest. There will be a full slate of AFL and NRL games, along with the Australian Grand Prix culminating on Sunday afternoon and golf fans will be glued to the famous island green at the 17th hole at the The Players Championship as the golf world gears up for next month’s Masters. The Australian Grand Prix returns as the F1 season opener with live coverage on Fox Motorsport showing all the actions across F1, F2, F3, Supercars and Carrera Cup. Friday 14th March F1 Australia Practice 1 from 12pm AEDT live in 4K, on Fox Motorsport, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. F1 Australia Practice 2 from 3:45pm AEDT live in 4K, on Fox Motorsport, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Saturday 15th March F1 Australia Practice 3 from 12:10pm AEDT live in 4K, on Fox Motorsport, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. F1 Australia Qualifying from 3:15pm AEDT live and ad-break free during racing, in 4K, on Fox Motorsport, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Sunday 16th March F1 Australia Race from 1:30pm AEDT live and ad-break free during racing, in 4K, on Fox Motorsport, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. AFL Round 1 Every game is live on Fox Footy, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Friday 14th March Hawthorn Hawks v Essendon Bombers from 6:30pm AEDT live and ad-break free during play, in 4K, on Fox Footy, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Saturday 15th March Geelong Cats v Fremantle Dockers from 12pm AEDT exclusively live and ad-break free during play, in 4K, on Fox Footy, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Sydney Swans v Brisbane Lions from 4pm AEDT exclusively live and ad-break free during play, in 4K, on Fox Footy, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Collingwood Magpies v Port Adelaide Power from 7pm AEDT exclusively live and ad-break free during play, in 4K, on Fox Footy, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne Kangaroos from 7:10pm AEDT exclusively live and ad-break free during play, in 4K, on Fox Footy, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Sunday 16th March Adelaide Crows v St Kilda Saints from 12pm AEDT live and ad-break free during play, in 4K, on Fox Footy, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Melbourne Demons v GWS Giants from 3:10pm AEDT live and ad-break free during play, in 4K, on Fox Footy, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. West Coast Eagles v Gold Coast Suns from 6pm AEDT live and ad-break free during play, in 4K, on Fox Footy, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. NRL ROUND 1 Every game is live on Fox League, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Friday 14th March New Zealand Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles from 5:00pm AEDT live and ad-break free during play on Fox League, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters from 7:55pm AEDT live and ad-break free during play on Fox League, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Saturday 15th March St George Illawarra Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs from 2:30pm AEDT exclusively live and ad-break free during play on Fox League, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. North Queensland Cowboys v Cronulla Sharks from 5pm AEDT exclusively live and ad-break free during play on Fox League, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos from 7:25pm AEDT exclusively live and ad-break free during play on Fox League, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Sunday 9th March Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers from 3pm AEDT live and ad-break free during play on Fox League, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs v Gold Coast Titans from 6pm AEDT live and ad-break free during play on Fox League, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Friday 14th March Supercars Melbourne Race 5 from 2:39pm AEDT live and ad-break free during racing, on Fox Motorsport, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Saturday 15th March Supercars Melbourne Race 6 from 5:18pm AEDT live and ad-break free during racing, on Fox Motorsport, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Sunday 16th March Supercars Melbourne Race 7 from 10am AEDT live and ad-break free during racing, on Fox Motorsport, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. NBL PLAYOFFS Sunday 16th March NBL Championship Game 3 Illawarra Hawks v Melbourne United from 5pm AEDT live on ESPN, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Friday 14th March Golden State Warriors v Sacramento Kings from 1pm AEDT on ESPN, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Saturday 15th March Miami Heat v Boston Celtics from 10am AEDT on ESPN, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers from 12:30pm AEDT on ESPN, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Sunday 16th March Golden State Warriors v New York Knicks from 11:30am AEDT on ESPN, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Tuesday 18th March New York Knicks v Miami Heat from 10:30am AEDT on ESPN, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. GOLF – THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP Friday 14th March The Players Championship Round 2 from 10:30pm AEDT live & exclusive on Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Saturday 15th March The Players Championship Round 3 from 10:30pm AEDT live & exclusive on Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Sunday 16th March The Players Championship Final Round from 10:30pm AEDT live & exclusive on Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Saturday 15th March WSL Championship Tour Portugal Day 1 from 6:30pm AEDT live on Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Originally published as AFL premiers rocked by tragedy, surprise plan to unleash Levi Ashcroft