Live: Lions' three-peat bid on the line against Crows in semifinal

Brisbane is hoping to bounce back from a shock loss to Sydney and keep its three-peat dream alive when it faces Adelaide in a Gabba semifinal.Sat 12 Sep 2026 at 7:08pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 7:08pmWhat was really behind Brisbane's shock defeat?(Getty Images)Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson have taken a deeper look:A lack of effort and complacency were quickly mentioned as scapegoats for the Lions' loss, while the Swans' resilient spirit was credited for the victory.While complacency may have played a role, the indications are that the issues may sit a little bit deeper.This Lions' season has hinted at a couple of issues not seen in previous years.The Lions' title defence — and their bid for a premiership three-peat — might just come apart at the hands of their own defence.Read the full piece below:Sat 12 Sep 2026 at 7:00pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 7:00pmA beautiful Brisbane night(Getty Images)It's a lovely evening in Brisbane, a fraction chilly (by Brisbane standards) but no real risk of rain and unlikely to be impacted by any real breeze.It's a sell out at the Gabba tonight too, not a spare seat in the house. A massive test of Adelaide's nerve.Sat 12 Sep 2026 at 6:50pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 6:50pmHow these teams got hereThere was shock around the SCG last week when Sydney, supposedly down and out in the wake of scandal, produced an inspired finals performance to simply blow Brisbane away.(Getty Images)The Lions have subsequently faced accusations of complacency and arrogance, charges they would no doubt deny but opened themselves to with a poor showing against the Swans. They were outworked, outrun, outmuscled and outclassed by a Sydney side missing a hatful of its prime movers.A response is expected of the Lions tonight. Anything less would surely be a tremendous disappointment.Adelaide's last weekend was far more positive, as the Crows answered the bell for coach Matthew Nicks and put the Western Bulldogs away in the last quarter.(Getty Images)It wasn't a vintage performance but it was one full of character, which in some ways meant more after the dismal end to Adelaide's 2025.The Crows' win again proved the value of its prolific forward line, which will be required to lift again tonight if a win over the Lions is to be found. With the monkey of the back, the Crows are now freed up and confident. A dangerous blend.Sat 12 Sep 2026 at 6:40pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 6:40pmFinal Lions and Crows teams are in(AFL.com.au)No late changes for either side.One change each during the week though, with an injury to Noah Answerth opening the door for Ty Gallop's Brisbane return, while the Crows have dropped Isaac Cumming to create room for young Zac Taylor.Sat 12 Sep 2026 at 6:31pmSat 12 Sep 2026 at 6:31pmWelcome to Saturday night finals footy(Getty Images)Hello and welcome back to ABC Sport's live blog coverage of the 2026 AFL season. Only five teams and four games remain this year, the stakes rising with every kick of the ball and setting up a second crucial semifinal here tonight.At the Gabba this evening the reigning premier Brisbane, champion of each of the last two seasons and a popular pick to make it a third in 2026, puts its streak on the line against an Adelaide side now filled with confidence and fearful of nobody.The Lions are coming off a chastening defeat to Sydney in last week's qualifying final, the Crows a stirring elimination final win over the Bulldogs. The prize is a preliminary final date with Hawthorn next week.It's a big evening for both clubs, so stick around and savour what we hope will be another classic final.