AFL Sydney v Brisbane Preview, MCG

Who will be crowned the premiers of the 2024 AFL season? 

We will find out on Saturday afternoon when Sydney and Brisbane lock horns at the MCG in this year’s Grand Final. The Swans booked their place in the decider with a comfortable 36-point win over Port Adelaide at home, as they look to secure their first Premiership in 12 years after three consecutive defeats in Grand Finals (2014, 2016 and 2022). Meanwhile, Brisbane is back in the big dance following a thrilling 10-point win over Geelong at the MCG, continuing their fantastic run throughout September. 

The Lions are determined to go one better after last year’s disappointment of losing the Grand Final by less than a kick to Collingwood and have had to go the hard way this year, after not only starting the year 2-5 but finishing in eighth spot and having to win two interstate finals in both Sydney and Melbourne. Their opponents, Sydney, have been the pacesetters all year and have found form at the right time after a bumpy year-end. They took care of business in both of their finals at home and went in well-rested after having the week off following their Qualifying Final victory over GWS.

Sydney put Callum Mills through his paces this week as he looked to return from a hamstring injury, but has been ruled out for the Grand Final, while Logan McDonald should be good to go after he was subbed out with a sprained ankle last week. Meanwhile, Brisbane will be forced into one change after ruckman Oscar McInerney badly dislocated his shoulder in the win over Geelong. Coach Chris Fagan has already confirmed veteran backup Darcy Fort would replace him in the side for his first game since Round 7.

Brisbane won the only fixture between the two sides this year, coming away with a thrilling two-point victory at the Gabba back in July. They have also won five of the last six meetings between the sides. Their only loss to Sydney during this time came in Round 1 of the 2021 season at the Gabba, when the Swans stormed home to win by 31 points.

The Lions love to dictate the flow of the game and will look to control things early, which will be intriguing to see how the Swans counteract that. Sydney plays with speed and looks to play largely through the corridor, and they are so dangerous when they are able to break through the lines.

The two sides met in a Grand Final before, but it came under their previous monikers – Fitzroy and South Melbourne- back in 1899. The Maroons won the game by a single point over the Bloods at Junction Oval.

Not that said meeting from 125 years ago will matter all that much when the ball is bounced this weekend!

TIP: Sydney by 10 points, Isaac Heeney to win the Norm Smith Medal