Brisbane Dominates Grand Final
Sydney were the prohibitive favourites heading into the Grand Final at the MCG. They sat atop the ladder for almost the whole season and finished as the Minor Premiers.
Brisbane on the other hand had an up and down season. They began the season with three straight losses en route to a 2-5 start. They fought an uphill battle the rest of the year and worked their way to fifth on the ladder.
As it often does however, the Grand Final did not play out the way many expected it to.
Brisbane carried play early but were unable to make Sydney pay with a pair of missed goals. It was the Swans who weathered the storm before kicking the game’s opening two goals ten minutes in.
Brisbane would respond with two Kai Lohmann goals in quick succession before ultimately taking a 27-19 lead into the second quarter.
The two sides traded goals early in the second before four Brisbane behinds gave them an 11-point lead. From that point forward, 15-minutes into the second quarter, it was all Brisbane.
They scored six unanswered goals in 15 minutes to hold a decisive 73-27 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.
Though the lead was substantial, there was still a full half to play and in this sport, one must always expect the unexpected.
Brisbane knows this and as such, did not let their foot off the gas pedal. They dominated the third quarter giving up just one goal and a behind to their opponents while scoring 34 points of their own to take a whopping 107-34 lead into the final frame.
Sydney kept fighting in the fourth quarter, putting through four goals and allowing just two for the Lions but it was much too little too late for the Minor Premiers.
As the clock ticked down the Lions rejoiced as they had doubled up the Swans 120-60 and claimed the sports ultimate prize.
After their agonizing four-point loss to Collingwood last year, the Lions left nothing to chance in this Grand Final with the massive victory.
Norm Smith Goes to Ashcroft
Brisbane youngster Will Ashcroft came away from the Grand Final as the Norm Smith medallist as he beat out teammates Lachie Neale, Callum Ah Chee, and Kai Lohmann for the award.
At just 20 years of age, Ashcroft is now the youngest winner of the award in the AFL era. His performance was brilliant as he commanded the midfield with 30 disposals and five clearances.
After missing the Grand Final last year as he recovered from an ACL injury from which he returned midway through this season, Ashcroft certainly made his presence felt this time around.
Another Agonizing Result for Sydney
For Sydney, it’s another massively disappointing result on the sport’s biggest stage. The 120-60 drubbing is all too similar to their 133-52 loss to Geelong two years ago.
It’s hard not to feel for the Swans as they did everything right this season and simply faultered in their final match. They sat atop the ladder nearly all year, won their qualifying final and then crushed Port Adelaide in the semi-final.
However, what will be remembered is the way they finished, once again being thoroughly outplayed in the Grand Final.
Questions will be asked of the team, and they will have to face the music, but one doesn’t win the Minor Premiership by chance. The Swans will be back and hungrier than ever.
The 2024 AFL season has come to an end. The Brisbane Lions ended their 21-year Premiership drought and overcame the heartbreak of losing the Grand Final last season by dismantling the Minor Premiership winning Sydney Swans 120-60 to etch their names in the history books.
