Brown's brute strength could influence AFL betting

One player could make the difference in the clash between Brisbane and Carlton in the AFL qualifying finals on Saturday night.

Jonathan Brown, captain of Brisbane Lions, has been something of a nemesis for Carlton, having kicked 30 goals in his last six appearances against them.

Brown stands at a whopping 195cm tall and weighs in at 104kg, and, according to the Herald Sun, Carlton have only one tactical option to combat him in the shape of Bret Thornton, who is slightly shorter and 12kg lighter.

The match up between these two could decide the fate of the fixture at the Gabba, just hours after Geelong take on the Western Bulldogs.

IASbet has Brisbane at 1.96 for the win and Carlton on 1.86, suggesting the bookmakers feel this is going to be a tight one.

Carlton legend Anthony Koutoufides was quoted by the Herald Sun as saying Thornton was indeed the obvious option.

He said: "He is probably not strong enough, but who is?

"Bret is actually very strong for his size. He is good at getting to the contest and is hard to get clear of. It will be a key duel, no doubt."

Before Brisbane take on Carlton, Adelaide play Essendon on Friday and Geelong play Western Bulldogs early on Saturday, while St Kilda take on Collingwood on Sunday.