THE BRISBANE Lions have defeated the Sydney Swans by eight points in a nail-biter at the SCG tonight to secure a home elimination final against Carlton at the Gabba next week.

On an emotional night which saw the home side farewell a trio of retiring greats, the under-manned Lions maintained their focus, winning 14.8 (92) to 15.10 (100).

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After last week's stirring 15-point comeback victory over Port, the Lions continued their form surge to register a second four-pointer over the Swans in 2009, breaking a four-game losing streak at the SCG.

After taking a 26-point lead at half time and extending that lead to 38 points in the third term, the Lions saw the Swans twice claw back to within a point in the final quarter.

Justin Sherman's bomb in the shadows of the final siren sealed the game.

The Lions did it without injured key position men Daniel Bradshaw and Daniel Merrett, while midfield ball magnet Luke Power was kept quiet by Swans tagger Kieren Jack.

The first term was a tight contest with three goals apiece as the Lions took a one-point lead into the first break.

Jonathan Brown could have blown out the lead but his kicking was slightly off, ending the term with four behinds. But that profligacy wasn't to last.

The Lions cracked the game open with a seven-goal-to-three second quarter. Superb delivery into the forward 50 began to hurt the Swans as the Lions began to rack up the possessions in midfield.

Brown soon got his first of the night and this was followed by Ashley McGrath's mammoth drop punt from inside the centre square.

Sherman was on fire, racking up 15 disposals and two goals by the main break as the Lions grabbed a toehold on the contest.

The third term was a beauty, with Mitch Clark's spectacular grab, climbing over the back of Adam Goodes on centre wing, a real highlight.

And it got better minutes later as Simon Black kicked truly, James Polkinghorne converted a set shot and the Lions extended their lead to 38 points.

The visitors were looming as party poopers on the Swans' night of fond farewells to Michael O'Loughlin, Leo Barry and Jared Crouch.

But the momentum swiftly changed as the Swans booted five goals straight in just seven minutes, rallying the large home support.

With the Swans on a roll, Brown's third for the night – a set shot from 40m, straight in front – was vital in halting the attacking pressure.

The Lions held a 14-point lead at the final break with it all to play for.

The Swans ramped up the pressure but the Lions worked the ball well across the centre of the ground and McGrath's long-range bomb went through for six valuable points.

Goodes again trimmed the lead to a point, but Sherman, who had a great night, sealed the result from 40m out.

Sydney Swans      3.5    6.6     11.7    14.8 (92)
Brisbane Lions    3.4    10.8    13.9    15.10 (100)

GOALS
Sydney Swans: O'Loughlin 4, White 3, Goodes 3, Ablett, Jack, Kirk, Thornton
Brisbane Lions: Brown 3, Sherman 3, McGrath 2, Austin, Black, Brennan, Clark, Harding, Polkinghorne, Stiller

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.