The first bounce of the AFL Grand Final between the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions is at 2:30pm tomorrow. Here’s your 2024 AFL Grand Final preview.
Sydney Swans
The last time the Swans played in a grand final was 2022, when they lost by 81 points to Geelong. This year’s team is different. Not only have they grown up, they’ve been the number-one team in the competition since Round 8.
Under coach John Longmire, the Swans have played in four grand finals and won once. Longmire has made no changes to the side that thrashed Port Adelaide last week in the Preliminary Final. The Swans will be hoping to repeat their most recent premiership triumph, in 2012.
Brisbane Lions
The last time the Lions played in a grand final was in 2023 when they lost to Collingwood by four points. In 2024, the Lions finished fifth and will be hoping to become the second team ever to win the competition from outside the top four. Coach Chris Fagan has named Darcy Fort to replace Oscar McInerney, who twice dislocated his shoulder in last week’s Preliminary Final victory over Geelong. The Lions last won the Grand Final in 2003.
Head to head
In their only meeting this season (Round 18), the Lions came from behind to win by two points. The Lions have won five of their last six matches against the Swans. None of those games were Grand Finals, however.
