The Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans have advanced through to the 2024 AFL Grand Final after wins against the Geelong Cats and Port Adelaide Power.
Sydney Swans 95 (14.11) def Port Adelaide 59 (8.11)
The leading team of the entire season, the Swans have continued their run of form against Port Adelaide which will now see them advance into the Grand Final.
In a decisive 36-point victory against their opponents, the Swans showed that they will enter Saturday as the favourites and will be difficult to beat.
Forwards Tom Papley and Joel Amartey both kicked three goals, while All-Australian representatives Errol Gulden (27 touches) and Isaac Heeney (24 touches) led the disposal count for the home side.
“You live in the moment. We talked about that this week, just concentrate on what’s in front of us and that’s where you get your focus,” Swans coach John Longmire said post-match.
“That’s where you sharpen your focus, day by day, and that’s what we did tonight. I think it worked pretty well and we’ll maintain that focus on our preparations and what we can control.”
It is understood that Swans skipper Callum Mills is a chance to return this Saturday while there is an injury cloud over Logan McDonald, who could potentially miss another Grand Final.
Tom Papley's celebration is making us want to run through a brick wall! 😤
Papley kicks his second and the Swans are in control
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🔢MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/MgZ1e5oZcf pic.twitter.com/vqCnMhr9pQ— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) September 20, 2024
Brisbane Lions 95 (14.11) def Geelong Cats 85 (12.13)
In an all-time classic preliminary final match, the Brisbane Lions produced a thrilling comeback against the Geelong Cats to advance to the 2024 AFL Grand Final for the second time in back-to-back seasons and the chance at redemption for last year’s loss to Collingwood.
Geelong controlled the majority of the match and looked destined to walk away as the victors, but Brisbane continued to up the intensity of the match even without a primary ruckman.
Despite Oliver Henry kicking four goals for the Cats, Brisbane’s Callum Ah Chee (three goals, 11 disposals) and Cam Rayner (two goals, 18 disposals) helped lead the comeback – the latter produced a clutch goal in the final quarter.
The Lions midfield also led the possessions count, with Dayne Zorko, Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley, Hugh McCluggage and Darcy Wilmot beating out the first Cats individual.
“Sydney, who’ve clearly been the best team of the season, we had a really tight battle with them not so long ago, and it’s going to be a really tough game next week and hopefully we can give a good showing of ourselves, like we did tonight.”
It is understood that Oscar McInerney (shoulder) will be unavailable against the Swans, while midfielder and co-captain Lachie Neale has been nursing an ankle injury but will play on Saturday afternoon.
Brisbane have booked their shot at redemption after securing their second consecutive Grand Final, beating Geelong in a classic preliminary final. #9News
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— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) September 21, 2024