AFL grand final 2024: Brisbane Lions earn redemption in thumping win over Sydney Swans
The last Saturday in September has arrived with Brisbane and Sydney to go head-to-head at the MCG.
The stage is set for one team to earn the ultimate redemption, with both sides the losing grand finalists from the past two seasons.
Sydney was embarrassed in an 81-point demolition by Geelong in 2022, while Brisbane suffered heartbreak of a different kind in a four-point thriller against Collingwood last year.
While both teams have roots in Victoria, Sydney to South Melbourne and Brisbane to Fitzroy, neither the Swans nor Lions hold a home-ground advantage at the home of football.
It sets the stage for an epic conclusion to one of the tightest premiership races in AFL history, with minor premiers Sydney the best team in the first half of the year and Brisbane storming home at the back end of the season.
Follow all the action, from pre-game, siren-to-siren and all the post-match wash-up in our live blog below.
Ready to ROAR?
The international pop star is set to hit the stage for the AFL pre-game entertainment at 11.30am AWST (1.30pm AEST) on Saturday.
A reported “leak” revealed Perry is expected to sing eight songs, including two tracks from her new album 143.
The unconfirmed reports also stated she will belt out hits like Dark Horse, California Gurls, Teenage Dream and Firework.
Perry confirmed she will sing Roar but declared no allegiance to the Lions, while there are also rumours she will perform I Kissed a Girl alongside Australian icon Tina Arena.
Cody Simpson has been entrusted with the national anthem while Mike Brady returns to sing Up There Cazaly.
ARIA winner Christine Anu and her daughter Zipporah Corser-Anu will also perform alongside the Songlines Youth Choir.
This is one dedicated Swans fan!
Is the Barassi line fading?
The Barassi Line divides Australia by its preferred football code.
Aussie rules dominates to the south west of the imaginary line, while rugby league is to the northeast.
The 2024 grand final involves two teams from the “other” side of the line for the first time.
Grand final sprint
The gun Fremantle recruit who ran shoulder-to-shoulder with Peter Bol in pre-season has been revealed as the club’s representative in the grand final sprint.
Jeremy Sharp will put his speed to the test against some of the league’s fastest players, while West Coast youngster Jai Culley has also been named in the field.
The heats will take place at around 10.15am (AWST), with the final to take place during half time.
FULL GRAND FINAL SPRINT LINE-UP
Will Hamill (Adelaide)
Will McLachlan (Brisbane)
Orazio Fantasia (Carlton)
Beau McCreery (Collingwood)
Ben Hobbs (Essendon)
Jeremy Sharp (Fremantle)
Shaun Mannagh (Geelong)
Tom Berry (Gold Coast)
Nathan Wardius (Greater Western Sydney)
Josh Weddle (Hawthorn)
Oliver Sestan (Melbourne)
Eddie Ford (North Melbourne)
Jed McEntee (Port Adelaide)
Dion Prestia (Richmond)
Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
Angus Sheldrick (Sydney)
Jai Culley (West Coast)
Riley Garcia (Western Bulldogs)
The science of being a superstar
How did this ex-Docker become one of the competition’s most elite midfielders?
An ex-teammate of the Brisbane superstar breaks down the science of Lachie Neale.
Who wins the Norm Smith?
Sydney star Isaac Heeney is the hot favourite to be voted best on ground in today’s premiership decider, paying $5.50 (according to TabTouch).
Dual Brownlow Medallist and Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale is close behind on $7.50, equal second alongside Swans midfield gun Chad Warner.
Sydney wingman Errol Gulden is third on $8, followed by Lions quartet Dayne Zorko ($11), Hugh McCluggage ($12), Cameron Rayner ($15) and Will Ashcroft ($17).
Aker’s advice for his beloved Lions
Jason Akermanis knows what it takes to win a flag.
The triple premiership-winning Lion spoke to The West Australian about exactly what Brisbane needs to do to beat Sydney in today’s premiership decider.
Road to the grand final
How did each team get here?
Minor premiers Sydney hosted Greater Western Sydney in the qualifying final, defeating their cross-town rivals by six points to earn a spot in the preliminary final.
The Swans then made light work of Port Adelaide with a 36-point victory to earn their spot in the premiership decider.
Meanwhile, Brisbane finished fifth and hosted Carlton at the Gabba in the elimination final.
They knocked over the Blues by 28 points, a flattering scoreline for their opponents, before an epic comeback win over GWS by five points.
Another thrilling preliminary final awaited against Geelong with the Lions managing to hold off the Cats by 10 points to advance to the grand final.
Gates are open at the MCG
Ghosts of grand finals past
Brisbane and Sydney will need to overcome the ghosts of grand finals past quickly if they are to earn redemption in today’s decider, writes Ryan Daniels.
