AFL finals live updates: Fans fuming after deciding umpire call sends Lions to grand final

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan cannot wipe the smile off his face, but he looks slightly rattled after the moments just gone.

“What a game. Both teams deserved to get the win tonight I thought,” said Fagan.

“I thought even at three-quarter time ... in footy these days with the way the centre bounce is, you’re never safe. 

“I thought we might’ve been gone, but Hughey gets the free kick and then we win by nine points because of another centre bounce.

“He’s [McCluggage] a pretty good shot for goal by and large. I was just pleased for him that he played well tonight because it’s been a battle for him this year, but he’s repaid the faith. 

“I’ve never heard the MCG that loud.”

I think the MCG was that loud because Hawks fans were pelting bottles at the ground and booing. Semantics.

Brisbane is now on the verge of a three-peat as they will meet the Fremantle Dockers for the AFl grand final.

The Hawks had an insane comeback and were only nine points off victory. Dayne Zorko spoke about the ‘phenomenal’ victory.

“That was phenomenal,” Zorko said on Fox Footy.

“When they came at us, no one dropped their head, we just had to go through our process. Hughey McCluggage, holey moley. 

“He works extremely hard on his set shots. He probably rushed a little bit, I didn’t like that he rushed, but oh my goodness, he did it again.”

Hugh McCluggage is “speechless” after those insane final moments.

“Unbelievable. I’m absolutely speechless,” said McCluggage to Fox Footy.

“It was such an arm-wrestle there. We just came out on top, that’s how prelims work. 

“They got on top of us with their run and centre bounce as well. They’re an amazing team with the Wiz and Gunners. 

“I’m just super proud of the boys for fighting back. I was thinking I’ve kicked these and just run straight and kick it. 

“I probably could’ve taken a bit more time off the clock now that I think about it.”

In the dying moments of the game, Brisbane did the unthinkable and took victory 20.11 (131) over Hawthorn 19.8 (122).

Jarman Impey’s left arm was free but he didn’t get rid of the ball, meaning Brisbane was handed a free kick with 37 seconds left.

Even closer to the siren, Kai Lohmann kicked a set shot after the siren after Levi Ashcroft found him inside 50 for the Lions to win by nine.

Brisbane are now heading to another grand final on their pursuit for the three-peat. Hawks fans are not happy!

Oh my god!

Jarman Impey is pinged in front of Brisbane’s goal with 36 seconds left and Hugh McCluggage sends it through and the Brisbane Lions to the grand final.

What a finish.

The Brisbane Lions briefly unseat the Hawks after a brilliant kick from Hugh McCluggage but Mitch Lewis takes what might be the mark of the season and kicks it through, keeping the Hawks in front 19.8 (122) to 18.11 (119).

We’re into the final three minutes of this game - who is going to meet Freo in the grand final?

Nick Watson has six goals in a preliminary final!

He took a contested mark on the second grab and drilled a set shot from right on the 50m arc.

The crowd gets even louder as the wizard puts the Hawks in front at the MCG as Harris Andrews drops the ball in the goal square and Watson kicks his sixth.

Jack Gunston also scores his fifth goal of the night in a preliminary final from the same spot as Watson’s fifth goal.

It was tit-for-tat at the MCG for a while but hawthorn is finding their way.

Mabior Chol kicks from the 50m arc and Jack Gunston kicks his fourth goal of the night and Hawthorn is now only 15 points down.

Nick Watson misses an unbelievable opportunity but it feels like the Hawks has found a narrow margin to maybe win this.

The crowd at the MCG is 98,000 strong.

It looked like Brisbane was closing the curtain here at the MCG after Logan Morris kicked a goal early in the fourth quarter but Dylan Moore drills one home on the run.

The Hawks are not quite done yet - they still have 16 minutes to go.

And Brisbane has changed the game.

They now lead by 20 at the MCG, the Lions kicking seven goals to one in that term.

There’s one quarter left to go of this preliminary final but the momentum well and truly fell away for the Hawks.