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Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans AFL Round 16 Tips- Sydney too strong as question marks remain over Lions

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: Wed 24 Jun 2026 10:31

Adam Cusworth 24 Jun 2026

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The game will be played at The Gabba on Thursday, 25th June, with the bounce at 7:30 PM (AEST)
Can the Brisbane Lions continue their strong home form, or will the Sydney Swans cement their place among the premiership favourites?
Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bet

Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans AFL Round 16 Tips

Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans, Round 16 2026 - Expert Prediction

Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans, Round 16 2026 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head Stats
Brisbane Lions Form Analysis
Sydney Swans Form Analysis
Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans Team List & News
Brisbane Lions Team News
Sydney Swans Team News
Fremantle Dockers vs Gold Coast Suns AFL 2026 Round 16 FAQ's

Sydney will be too good for Brisbane in the opening AFL match of Round 16.

The Swans have been red-hot this season and come in with a 12-2 win-loss record, while questions still remain around the premiers, Brisbane, despite coming in with two wins before the Round 15 bye.

The Lions have shown glimpses of their best this season, but their best footy still looks a fair way off. They remain hard to trust against the competition’s top sides, particularly with an injury list that has stretched their depth for much of the year.

Sydney, on the other hand, continue to find a way. They have had to grind out narrow wins in their past two matches, but that ability to hold their nerve late in games is a strong sign for a side sitting near the top of the ladder.

The Swans look to have the edge in the middle, where Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner are both in outstanding form. Heeney has been finding plenty of the footy and hitting the scoreboard, while Warner’s burst and scoreboard impact gives Sydney another major weapon around stoppage.

Brodie Grundy also looks a key factor in the ruck. Brisbane have quality around the ball, but Grundy’s ability to get involved around the ground, take territory and give Sydney’s midfield first use should help the Swans control enough of the contest.

Brisbane will be no pushover at the Gabba, but their home form has not been as strong as expected this season and they have dropped their past two at the venue. With Sydney ranking as the highest-scoring side in the competition and having multiple avenues to goal, they look well placed to expose a Lions side that has been below its best for much of 2026.

The total points market also appeals. Sydney lead the AFL for scoring at 112 points per game and have consistently found ways to generate opportunities through the middle and inside 50. Brisbane's forward line is beginning to click with Logan Morris, Eric Hipwood and Zac Bailey all providing scoring threats, while the Lions have conceded some big scores against quality opposition this season. With both midfields capable of creating plenty of forward entries, this shapes as a match that can push beyond the total points line, particularly if the two sides have their radar on in front of goal.

The total points for both sides has averaged over 190 this season.
Both sides are averaging over 100 points per game in 2026.
Isaac Heeney has kicked eight goals in his past three matches and has had 30+ disposals in each of those.
Brisbane have a 3-3 win-loss record at the GABBA in 2026, Sydney are 5-2 when interstate

Head to Head Stats

Sydney have won the past two between the two sides, including the Round 1 encounter this season by 44 points at the SCG when the Lions were hard hit by injuries.

Standout player performances in the recent head-to-heads have come from:

Angus Sheldrick (Swans) - has had 25+ disposals in each of his last two matches against the Lions.
Darcy Wilmot (Lions) - 25+ disposals in two of his past three against the Swans and 24 in the other.
Zac Bailey (Lions) - six goals in his past two against the Swans.
Isaac Heeney (Swans) - eight goals in his past three matches against the Lions.

Brisbane Lions Form Analysis

Brisbane had the bye last weekend and had the wobbles in May when losing to Fremantle, Geelong and GWS before responding with wins over the Gold Coast Suns by 31 points at the Gabba and against Richmond by 35 in Hobart.

The performance against GWS raised some massive question marks when conceding 14 goals in the third quarter and they were never in the hunt against Fremantle, but closed off well against the ladder leaders by kicking four of the last five goals and had the same amount of scoring shots in that match in a 10.18 to 15.13 scoreline, before bringing that momentum to the Suns match.

Logan Morris has responded to a quiet run with 10 goals in his past two outings, while Will Ashcroft starred against Richmond with 38 disposals and two goals. Lachie Neale continued his solid season with 28 disposals. Neale has had 30+ in six of his past 10, while rebounding halfback Darcy Wilmot has had 25+ in his past five.

Brisbane enter the Round 16 clash with a win-loss record of 8-6. The Lions have lost their past two at the Gabba and are 3-3 at home this season.

Sydney Swans Form Analysis

Sydney are second on the ladder with a 12-2 win-loss record. They went down to Geelong four weeks before the bye before chalking up a 114-point win against Richmond at the SCG. Their past two have come in close fashion - a two-point win over St Kilda and a three-point win over Port Adelaide.

Isaac Heeney is in sublime touch and had 30 disposals and a goal against Port Adelaide. He has had 30+ disposals in his past three matches and kicked eight goals in that period. Chad Warner has had 25+ in his last three and kicked six goals, while Brodie Grundy continues to dominate in the ruck.

Sydney top the competition for scoring this season and average 112 points per game. Outside of Sydney in 2026, they have a 5-2 win-loss record.

Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans Team List & News

Brisbane Lions Team News

Ryan Lester returns after missing the last month with a calf injury, providing a timely defensive boost for the Lions. He replaces Shadeau Brain, who has been omitted.

Sydney Swans Team News

Errol Gulden makes his long-awaited return almost four months after suffering a serious shoulder injury, while Tom McCartin is back after concussion protocols. Peter Ladhams also returns. Dane Rampe remains sidelined with a calf injury, while Matt Roberts, Harry Kyle and Hayden McLean have all been omitted.

Brisbane Lions	POS	Sydney Swans
N. Answerth, H. Andrews, D. Gardiner	B	C. Mills, W. Edwards, T. McCartin
D. Wilmot, T. Gallop, B. Reville	HB	J. Hamling, N. Blakey, J. Serong
J. Berry, W. Ashcroft, Z. Bailey	C	J. Lloyd, A. Sheldrick, E. Gulden
C. Cameron, L. Morris, L. Ashcroft	HF	J. Jordon, M. Rosas, J. Rowbottom
S. Draper, C. Rayner, K. Lohmann	F	C. Cleary, C. Curnow, J. Amartey
D. Fort, J. Dunkley, L. Neale	FOLL	B. Grundy, I. Heeney, C. Warner
J. Fletcher, C. McKenna, J. Tunstill, E. Hipwood, R. Lester	I/C	H. Cunningham, S. Wicks, P. Ladhams, R. Bice, L. McDonald

Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans AFL 2026 Round 16 FAQ's

How to watch Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans AFL 2026 Round 16?

You can watch the Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans AFL 2026 Round 16 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans AFL 2026 Round 16?

To buy tickets to the Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans AFL 2026 Round 16 game check the AFL website or the official Brisbane Lions site.

Verdict

Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans

Take the Swans in the H2H with the total points to go over. Heeney influential yet again

Sydney Swans

Win

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