AFL preliminary finals AS IT HAPPENED: 'No matter what': Great's call on Lachie Neale as Brisbane punches grand final ticket
Second preliminary final result
Brisbane Lions defeat Collingwood Magpies - MATCH CENTRE
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Thanks for tuning into our coverage of the AFL preliminary finals!
We will see you next weekend for the grand final!
'Every day of the week': Umpire 'froze' in free kick controversy that swung Pies-Lions prelim
Brisbane will play Geelong in next week's grand final, having defeated Collingwood by 21 points in a seesawing preliminary final at the MCG on Saturday.
This year's grand final will have another heartbreak story with star midfielder Jarrod Berry subbed out of the game with a dislocated shoulder — his second in a month.
In a back-and-forth clash, both the Pies and Lions traded blows and answered each other's lethal attacks all game.
Lachie Neale seems confident he will play
Cam Rayner admits he's been sick all week
Admits he chugged a Red Bull at half time to get some energy.
Fagan on Neale
Chris Fagan on Lachie Neale:
"He completed a very searching training session this morning and our fitness blokes are telling me he's probably in really good shape to play. He's a chance to play."
Chris Fagan motivation pays off
Chris Fagan admits post game that after Collingwood kicked six unanswered goals in the second quarter, he reminded his players of the 2023 grand final heartache, saying they had to get payback here.
What now for Collingwood?
Already the oldest team in the competition, do the Pies gear up again and go-all in next year? Or is time to start bringing in younger players in order to avoid a West Coast style falling off a cliff?
They will likely attempt to go again, but everyone now a year older. It doesn't get any easier for them.
And now the attention turns to Lachie Neale
Brisbane now has an enormous call to make on Lachie Neale, who strained his calf only a fortnight ago.
Will he put his hand up to play? Will they select him if he does? It will be the big talking point of the week.
"If he says he is right to go, I'm playing him no matter what. I'm the biggest gambler of all-time with Lachie Neale," Jack Riewoldt said.
The Lions are into a third straight grand final
Brisbane has gone back-to-back-to-back (in making grand finals).
FULL TIME
FULL TIME: Brisbane 15.10. (100) defeat Collingwood 11.4. (70).
Brisbane will meet Geelong in the 2025 grand final! Two weeks after the Cats smashed them in the qualifying final.
Collingwood's season is over, despite looking like the best team in the comp for the first 20 weeks.
The Jamie Elliott non-free kick was the moment, but the Lions broke them quickly after it.
Wild to think the Pies kicked six unanswered in the second term. Lions have been the better team outside of that quarter, however.
