AFL Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions preliminary final live updates — blog, scores and stats from the MCG

Very attention-grabbing first quarter certainly. The massive story is Oscar McInerney, who apparently has returned for the rooms along with his shoulder strapped up, prepared to offer it one other go. All eyes shall be on him firstly of the second quarter in that case.

Geelong owned that quarter for some time, Brisbane for one more stretch, and the distinction within the sport is just that the Lions took extra of their probabilities. I feel Brisbane’s midfield is on high and the Lions are transferring the ball off half-back extra cleanly, however the return of Tom Stewart is proving pivotal for Geelong.

Lots to love for each groups. One different be aware so as to add – final evening’s sport was over-umpired and this one is heading in the identical route. Been some odd and really sensitive calls each methods which is disrupting the circulate of the sport.

Huge second. Brisbane’s ruckman has left the sector with dislocated shoulder which does not appear to be going again in too simply. He is in numerous ache.

Can he come again on? Not wanting good for the time being. That may be an enormous, huge blow for Brisbane.

This midfield battle seems like it’ll resolve the sport already, and Brisbane has gotten proper on high. That was a beautiful centre break as McInerney and Neale mixed to ship Brisbane ahead, ending with a Hipwood probability on the snap.

The Lions are taking their probabilities now and have a helpful early lead.

It is a aim rush rapidly! Win a clearance, kick a aim!

The Lions compelled it ahead a technique or one other, with Morris’s spill falling into the palms of Berry who dished off to Bailey on the run. Just one outcome was seemingly from there.

The Cats take it ahead out of the center and style one other clear sight on aim, albeit on Jeremy Cameron’s fallacious facet.

Cameron continues to be fairly rattling good on his proper boot, as that calm snap on aim proves. Pretty end.

The Cats followers aren’t blissful because it seemed as if Charlie Cameron simply marked that ball within the second row. No name from the aim umpire, and the mark is paid.

However Charlie’s snap from the tightest of angles was predictably good. Geelong simply could not get the ball out of Brisbane’s attacking half, and it felt like a aim was inevitable. Very tight sport this thus far.

So the umpire has simply invented a brand new rule in the midst of the primary quarter of a prelim closing, penalising Stewart for an “unreasonable” bump to the ribs whereas Lohmann had his hand on the ball. The ump initially referred to as it for holding the person, then modified his thoughts presumably when he realised he’d made a blue.

To not fear, Lohmann missed his set shot anyway. The watch for a aim goes on.

These two groups have taken turns proudly owning the ball at their attacking finish thus far, with the ultimate act of kicking a aim proving a bridge too far.

Shifting the ball finish to finish wanting mighty powerful in opposition to among the finest organised defences within the sport.

Max Holmes and Ollie Henry have added two extra dangerous set shot misses to Geelong’s scoreboard now. The Cats are losing a really vivid begin right here.

The Lions are everywhere in the store. They don’t seem to be dealing with Geelong’s strain in any respect and can’t cease turning it over. Brisbane very fortunate to not be just a few targets down.

Zach Guthrie and Tom Atkins have behinds on the board as Geelong will get a have a look at just a few repeat entries.

Very contested begin to this sport, not numerous area to function in for both facet. Territory goes to be important, particularly in these early phases earlier than it opens up.

Proper, right here we go. Nearly as huge because it will get.

The ball is within the air and the prelim closing is underway for Geelong and Brisbane.

One other attention-grabbing wrinkle to this sport, as slightly bathe will definitely make the beginning of it a bit slippery.

The Welcome to Nation and nationwide anthem are being accomplished now, which suggests the bounce is barely minutes away.

Relaxation simple, Swans followers, Dane Rampe won’t be suspended for the grand closing.

The MRO has handed in its findings from final evening, grading Rampe’s hit on Zak Butters as careless conduct, excessive contact however low influence. Meaning a nice for the Sydney champ, however no ban.

No extra time for preparations, the gamers are heading to the race absolutely kitted out and prepared for battle.

Bounce is slightly over quarter-hour away. We have got a big crowd in at the moment, closely Geelong-leaning. However that will not hassle the Lions an excessive amount of.

Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson have seemed below the hood to see what makes these two groups tick, and have discovered some secret weapons which may resolve the sport.

If you happen to take heed to sufficient coaches speak, the phrases “we wish to be a entrance half crew” will seemingly come out ultimately. There is a good cause for that — territory usually dictates the trail of play in soccer.

Not solely is Brisbane a entrance half crew, they’re among the best entrance half groups within the competitors. At their finest, the Lions haven’t any weak hyperlinks ahead of centre, and might assault targets by way of their opponents’ weaknesses.

That’s clearly only a style. All the great things is within the article under.

Our man Andrew McGarry has been digging deep into each groups forward of this one and has give you just a few factors of curiosity which may go some method to deciding the sport.

Together with their crushing qualifying closing win over Port Adelaide, the Cats have averaged a tick below 96 factors a sport in assault in 2024, so that they have had no bother scoring.

That implies their midfield — and thus provide — should be going all proper.

Nevertheless, a part of the success of Geelong this 12 months has been the midfield being bolstered by the likes of forwards Gryan Miers, Brad Shut and Shaun Mannagh monitoring again to assist out after which bursting ahead at pace.

Over the season as a complete, nonetheless, Brisbane Lions are primary for clearances, and primary specifically for stoppage clearances.

With Lachie Neale (who could also be slowed by a foot damage), Hugh McCluggage, Will Ashcroft and Josh Dunkley all able to busting issues open, the midfield battle shall be a key — and the Lions may simply fancy their probabilities.

Learn the complete story for this and lots of extra of Andrew’s insights:

Some worrying information emerged from Cats coaching yesterday with assistant coach Stephen King collapsing and being rushed to hospital.

The excellent news is King has been discharged with dehydration and exhaustion believed to be the perpetrator, with no underlying well being points detected.

King has had an enormous week, getting ready for the prelim whereas additionally jetting out and in of Perth for a proper interview for the West Coast head coach place. Sounds prefer it caught up with him. He will not be within the field this week, however ought to be okay to return to duties ought to Geelong make the grand closing.

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No late modifications this afternoon, either side go in as named.

Tom Stewart was handed match through the week so will return for Geelong, with Zach Tuohy making method for the champion defender. The Lions are unchanged from the facet that beat GWS final Saturday evening.

The subs are Mitch Duncan for the Cats and Conor McKenna for Brisbane.