How Sydney, Brisbane Lions compare to their last AFL Grand Final

One of Sydney and Brisbane Lions will achieve Grand Final redemption this year. We examine how their current sides compare to their last crack at the ultimate prize and deliver our verdicts on the changes.

In the age of equalisation in the AFL, it is uncommon that a team can scale the summit of football, be vanquished and then challenge again the next year.

It is even rarer the previous two grand final losers face off in the decider, with Brisbane (lost 2023 grand final) and Sydney (lost 2022 grand final) set to be the first teams since 1995 to do so.

But while the teams in the grand final are the same, the sides’ make up will be very different.

SYDNEY – 2022

Two years ago, the young Swans prepared for the biggest week of their lives at the MCG.

A talented crop of players with seemingly unlimited confidence, there’s no doubt John Longmire’s side exceeded expectations in 2022.

They advanced to the grand final against Geelong, riding the wave of their skill and the conviction that they could win every game.

What happened next was two-and-a-half hours of agony.

The Cats marched away with a dominant 81-point win, and a season full of hope for the Swans suddenly became one of disappointment.

But the formative lessons learned in that fortnight have set them up for success again.

The likes of Errol Gulden, Chad Warner, and of course Longmire, are returning to the game’s biggest stage not only fuelled by heartache, but with a more complete understanding of what it takes to win a premiership.

HOW THE SWANS COMPARE TO 2022

Pending Logan McDonald’s fitness, the biggest call John Longmire will have to make is on the fitness of Callum Mills. It’s a scenario Longmire faced two years ago when he admitted to a mistake by playing Sam Reid when he was hurt. Robbie Fox, who was sub in the preliminary final, likely makes way if Mills returns. Braeden Campbell could shuffle back to sub, where he’s had an impact late in several games.

DEFENCE

IN: Melican, Roberts, Cuningham

OUT: McCartin, Lloyd, Fox (possible sub)

It’s essentially a straight swap of McCartin for Melican, although Fox likely misses if Callum Mills is passed fit. He started at centre half back in 2022. Harry Cuningham will get a defensive job and Jake Lloyd has shuffled up the field this year to play as a wingman. McCartin was more of an interceptor than a lockdown defender like Melican. Melican will be assigned to either Joe Daniher or Eric Hipwood, whereas McCartin would have played on the third tall. Melican’s role allows the Swans to free up Dane Rampe and gives them the flexibility to potentially use their veteran defender on Tyson Stengle. Matt Roberts slots into the role vacated by Fox (or Callum Mills).

VERDICT: ON PAR

MIDFIELD

IN: Grundy, Heeney, Jordon, Lloyd

OUT: Hickey, Stephens, Parker, Mills (pending injury)

While Grundy hasn’t been at his best this finals series, he’s an upgrade on Hickey and will be expected to control the midfield against Darcy Fort – who will be playing his first game against round 7 for the Lions if named to replace the injured Oscar McInerney. James Jordon adds a different dimension as the Swans stopper and will likely be assigned to Lachie Neale. The major difference has been the injection of Isaac Heeney into the Swans engine room this year. Heeney was a non-factor two years ago with 11 disposals and a goal. Chad Warner, James Rowbottom and Errol Gulden are all better players. Warner was brilliant in the 2022 Grand Final with 29 disposals and two goals but fought a lone hand for much of the game.

VERDICT: STRONGER

FORWARD

IN: Amartey, McDonald, Parker

OUT: Franklin, R.Clarke, Reid

The Swans carried an injured Reid into the Grand Final in 2022 with disastrous consequences. He had four disposals and was subbed out. Amartey and McDonald aren’t near the level of Lance Franklin, but they did combine for five goals and 12 marks in the preliminary final. They certainly don’t have the presence Buddy did on the biggest stage though. What’s the saying though? The sum of the parts is greater than the whole. That certainly applies to the Swans when you throw Hayden McLean into the mix as well. Luke Parker essentially replaces Heeney as a half forward capable of rolling through midfield. Will Hayward has gone to another level since being held to 11 disposals and a goal in the 2022 decider.

VERDICT: STRONGER – JUST

Dayne Zorko drives Brisbane Lions forward during last year’s Grand Final. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

BRISBANE – 2023

For every joyous and jubilant premiership winner there is a dejected and defeated runner-up.

History is written by the victor and, in 50 years’ time, Collingwood’s remarkable run to the flag will be the key narrative thread to the 2023 season.

Meanwhile the runners up, the Brisbane Lions, become little more than a footnote to the black and white fairytale.

Few will remember that the Lions were 10 minutes away from writing their own historic chapter; that they were one controversial advantage call short from having a set shot on the siren to completely flip the script.

But the 23 players who took the field in the maroon, blue and gold that day will never forget.

Grand final heartbreak is part and parcel of AFL. Without the pain of defeat, the passion of success would not be as sweet.

Last year the Brisbane Lions crashed – hard. It’s a pain the playing group never wants to experience again.

It is rare that a runner-up gets its chance at redemption, let alone only 12 months later. The emotions still run raw through Chris Fagan’s men. They have tasted defeat and are even hungrier now to know what premiership success feels like.

HOW THE LIONS COMPARE TO 2023

Are these Lions better than the 2023 version? On paper, probably not.

The ‘Big O’, Oscar McInerney, leaves an unfillable hole in the middle of the ground. His absence alone will send ripples through the club this week.

In total six players who did not feature last September will take the field on Saturday against the Sydney Swans. They may not have played that day, but they will know by proxy that the pain of grand final defeat is something to be avoided at all costs.

The 2024 grand final team might not be as strong, but it has proven to be considerably more versatile through a season of sizeable ups and downs.

DEFENCE

IN: Jack Payne, Noah Answerth, Dayne Zorko (fwd)

OUT: Darcy Gardiner, Keidean Coleman

Jack Payne will get his deserved grand final chance after the heartbreak of last year when an ankle injury ruled him out of the decider. The roles are now reversed with his 2023 replacement, Darcy Gardiner, the one sidelined with a season-ending ACL injury. If Payne can play to his best then it is an upgrade. However, Keidean Coleman is a massive loss. He was arguably Brisbane’s best player in last year’s grand final defeat and was a joint-winner with Hugh McCluggage for the Lions’ top finals performer. But he has missed the entire season with an ACL injury, so to this point the Lions have been able to make up for his absence – most notably with All-Australian Dayne Zorko’s shift to halfback. Noah Answerth has been a tackle machine in September and played a reliable lockdown role on whichever medium forward does not go to Starcevich or Lester.

VERDICT: STRONGER – JUST

MIDFIELD

IN: Will Ashcroft, Darcy Fort/Henry Smith

OUT: Deven Robertson, Jarryd Lyons, Oscar McInerney

Outside of Harris Andrews, Oscar McInerney might be Brisbane’s most important piece. He dominated Brodie Grundy in their match-up earlier this season and will leave a massive hole in the middle of the ground for the grand final after being ruled out with a dislocated shoulder. Whether it is Fort or Smith who comes in to replace him, the Swans will own an advantage they previously did not have. But it is not all bad news. The on-ball brigade has been significantly bolstered by Will Ashcroft, who had to watch from the stands last year as he recovered from an ACL injury. The 20 year old is hitting career-best form and seems to relish the big moments. He will be a crucial addition to a midfield battle that could decide the outcome on Saturday.

VERDICT: WORSE

FORWARD

IN: Logan Morris, Kai Lohmann

OUT: Lincoln McCarthy, Dayne Zorko (def)

Logan Morris and Kai Lohmann are the stories of the season for Brisbane. It is testament to the young duo’s form that the absence of Lincoln McCarthy (ACL) has not been felt as harshly as we might have first thought. McCarthy kicked two goals in last year’s grand final and played a crucial role in the Lions’ forward structure. Lohmann and Morris have different traits to the man they replaced, but have been able to fill the goals void that McCarthy left. Lohmann in particular has had a standout September and looks tailor-made for the big stage.

OUR VERDICT: ON PAR

Originally published as How Sydney, Brisbane Lions compare to their last AFL Grand Final