BRISBANE LIONS v CARLTON
Gabba, Saturday, August 23, 7.10pm
Head to head Brisbane 9 Carlton 6 Drawn 0
Last time Brisbane 18.17 (125) bt Carlton 12.20 (92) R8 2008, Telstra Dome
Betting TABSportsbet Brisbane $1.36 Carlton $3 Centrebet Brisbane $1.45 Carlton $2.75

Brisbane
Backs: Macdonald Merrett Patfull
Half-backs: Sherman Roe McGrath
Centres: Dalziell Black Adcock
Half-forwards: Rischitelli Brown Moody
Forwards: Hooper Bradshaw Corrie
Followers: Charman Power
Rover: Brennan
Interchange: Hanley Johnstone Hawksley Copeland
Emergencies: Notting Selwood Henderson
In: Corrie Hanley
Out: Begley Proud
New: Pearce Hanley, 19, Ireland

Carlton
Backs: Scotland Walker Simpson
Half-backs: Grigg Jamison Thornton
Centres: Waite Stevens Fisher
Half-forwards: Murphy Cloke Russell
Forwards: Kreuzer Fevola Carrazzo
Followers: Hampson Gibbs Rover: Judd
Interchange: Armfield Bower Browne Houlihan
Emergencies: Anderson Austin Bentick
In: Bower Houlihan
Out: Wiggins (calf) Saddington

Summary Brisbane have a big task to make the finals and need desperately to win this before trying to take out the Swans at the SCG in the final round. There's a lot in their favour, including the extraordinary dominance the Lions have had over the Blues, dating back to 2001. And they've generally been comfortable wins. Carlton clung onto a finals dream for weeks but it was finally ended by North Melbourne last Sunday, so the question is, what do the Blues have left to play for? Brisbane have a big edge at home and have Daniel Bradshaw back from injury in his 200th game to join goalkicking powerhouse Jonathan Brown. The Lions have more depth and they know the Blues are relying on a few stars while they develop their undoubted young talent.

Key Brendan Fevola is Carlton's one-trick show, but even he won't be able to keep the Lions at bay.

Tip Brisbane by 25 points