Welcome to the final weekend in September!
What a year it's been Lions fans and now it's time for our boys to do battle against the Swans in the 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final.
So, as we have every other week, lets dive into season 2024 final match preview.
Last Time We Met
Round 19: Brisbane 11.13. 79 d Sydney 11.11. 77
In a heart-stopper at the Gabba, our Lions roared back to edge out the Sydney Swans by just two points in a thrilling Sunday afternoon contest. It took every second and every ounce of effort, but the Lions dug deep to clinch a 11.13 (79) to 11.11 (77) victory, sending 33,924 ecstatic fans into raptures.
Trailing by 14 points heading into the final quarter, the Lions launched a comeback as fierce as our mascot. Hugh McCluggage set the tone, kicking off the comeback with two goals in under 60 seconds – talk about putting the "Clug" in clutch! Meanwhile, Charlie Cameron, cool as ever, nailed a set shot from 45 meters out to give the Lions the lead, proving he can weather any storm.
But the Swans weren't ready to fly away just yet, despite losing Dane Rampe and Tom Papley to injuries. Jake Lloyd launched a bomb from 50 meters to briefly reclaim the lead, but Cal Ah Chee's left-foot snap with three minutes left proved to be the feather that broke the Swan’s back, sealing Brisbane’s seventh straight win.
If our Round 19 clash is anything to go off, Saturday afternoon is sure to be a CLASSIC! With both teams leaving it all on the field last time—trading blows in a nail-biter you can bet there’s going to be fireworks again. Everything is on the line, with premiership immortality beckoning, and neither side will want to give an inch. Buckle up for another heart-stopping encounter; this one could go right down to the wire!
Excited About
We are full of excitement as Grand Final day approaches, feeling like Christmas has come early. After a massive season of true grit and determination to get back to this day in September, it’s now a golden chance at redemption on the biggest stage. The contest promises to be fierce, but we know our boys will give everything to get their hands on the premiership cup. With the team ready to leave it all on the field, the passionate Lions faithful will be roaring from the stands, hoping to give the boys the edge they need to claim the ultimate prize.
Match-ups we're keen for
It all comes down to who can win their match-ups, but how they do it is what truly matters, and the stats tell the story. Our Lions kick-mark game has been a cornerstone of our ability to win this season, winning 14 of 17 games when we’ve taken at least 100 marks. Our ability to open up the game through handball was on full display against Geelong, gaining 271 meters from handballs in the second half alone, showing that if our boys need to chase the game, they can do it with precision and pace.
For the boys to secure victory, they must neutralise Sydney's lethal intercept game. The Swans have dominated opponents all year by scoring off intercept possessions, winning all 18 games in which they've outscored their rivals in this area. But our 23 can match them. The Lions have been the most dangerous intercept team, outscoring their opponents by an average of 13.2 points per game from intercepts. Our Lions will need to control possession, avoid turnovers, and deny the Swans their intercept opportunities to emerge victorious.
Hold onto your seats Lions fans as we embark on Grand Final glory!
BELIEVE!
