AFL Finals 2024: Brisbane look for redemption as Carlton bring back reinforcements for final
Carlton has rolled the dice with mass changes ahead of their clash with Brisbane who are hoping to keep their dreams of redemption alive. Follow all the action fromt he Gabba live.
Earlier it was more than just bragging rights on in the Sydney derby as the Swans produced a stunning comeback to beat the Giants.
Follow all the action in our live blog.
Hayward gets another
The Swansf force the turnover and repeat efforts manage to keep the ball alive through the Giants’ tightening web. Papley no look handbells over his shoulder and Hayward snaps a goal to get the crowd off their feet.
Final quarter underway
Nick Blakey shows tremendous courage with a massive spoil that threatened to wipe both players out. It’s the sort of effort the Swans will need to overcome this margin.
THREE QUARTER TIME GWS 10.9 (69) SYDNEY 7.6 (48)
Swans have one last foray inside 50 and you feel they have to score but they can’t find it.
Adam Kingsley is 23-0 when leading at three-quarter time and the 21-point margin is a big buffer.
Isaac Heeney looked like he was going to drag the Swans back in it but after the initial burst, the Giants responded with three-straight goals.
McDonald’s goal keeps the door slightly ajar but you feel it will take a mighty effort for the Swans to come away with this one.
Logan McDonald gets one back
He intercepts the kick out of defence and maintains his run to kick on the run from outside 50 and nail his first goal. It’s a terrific finish. Can they find one more before the break.
McInerney has been subbed out after just six touches with Braeden Campbell coming on.
Absolute horror for the Swans
The end-to-end footy has taken it’s toll with plenty of tired legs out there. The Giants send the ball forward as Tom McCartin spoils an intercept for Lewis Melican and Cadman cleans up the spill to put the margin back to 27 points.
You feel like that could be the game.
Hogan steadies the ship
The Swans have another chance but the Giants intercept in D50 and it’s slingshot footy. They find Darcy Jones on the wing and he finds Hogan who kicks his third.
They get another through Jones as they go straight out of the middle and the ball goes out the back where Jones gets his first. We’re back to 20 points.
Crowd are rising
Jake Lloyd hits the post which would have given the Swans three straight. The crowd is now right in this game and the Giants need to find a moment to reset.
Swans back in it
Guess who? It’s Heeney again as Grundy wins a free in the middle and Heenet takes the mark inside 50. He kicks his second and the margin is now just nine points after three minutes.
A Heeney hanger
Isaac Heeney is doing everything to lift his team as he bails them out taking a massive mark to help rescue the Swans after a dump kick.
He’s up there for an age before he swings around on his way down to fortunately break his fall.
It seems to work as Dane Rampe fires from 50m to bring the margin down to 15 points and a perfect start for the Swans.
Here’s a stat
11 times John Longmire’s side has trailed in a final at half-time. And 11 times they have failed to overturn the deficit. Will it be the 12th time the charm? The second half is almost underway.
