AFL Grand Final 2024: Brisbane Lions defeat Sydney Swans 120-60 to claim 2024 premiership
In one of the most even AFL seasons ever, there was nothing even between the two sides on grand final day as the Lions made up for the heartbreak of 2023. Relive all the action from a historic victory.
The Brisbane Lions are the kings of the AFL once again after inflicted a 60-point demolition on the Sydney Swans at the MCG.
It was a masterclass from the Lions, Herald Sun Chief Football Writer Mark Robinson wrote, one that could have a lingering impact on the Swans for years to come.
Brisbane blew the game open in the second term, igniting a 13-minute blitz that the Swans never recovered from, highlighted by Eric Hipwood’s outrageous goal from the boundary line, which broke Sydney’s back.
The Swans were left to lament another grand final flop following their 2022 efforts, as the Lions shattered records in the hammering.
The Lions have been knocking on the door for years, now after a ridiculous finals series they finally have their flag. But this might be just the beginning, with plenty of high-end talent set to come into the side next season, highlighting by the drafting of Norm Smith Medalist Will Ashcroft’s brother Levi.
Ashcroft wasn’t alone in playing a starring role in the biggest game of the season, with Brisbane skipper Lachie Neale and livewire forward Callum Ah Chee coming up huge when their side needed them most.
Young star Kai Lohmann kicked off the fun in the first half, with Brisbane legend Jason Akermanis crowning him his celebration successor.
Neale, added a premiership medal and a Ron Barassi Medal to his illustrious resume revealed to the Herald Sun’s Scott Gullan post-game that “something snapped” in his troublesome foot in the final term, a foot he had been nursing for up to 10 weeks in the pursuit of premiership glory.
On the other side of that coin, in a shattered Sydney rooms, Isaac Heeney revealed his battle with a foot injury throughout the entire finals series, one that may have lived in folklore if the Swans were able to finish the job.
Brisbane took the most extraordinary of paths to premiership glory, having looked dead and buried in both the semi-final against GWS, and the preliminary final against Geelong.
Now, as the celebrations go long into the night and the days following, all eyes will turn to the future of superstar Joe Daniher, who was typically coy after the Lions claimed the flag.
‘Done it his way’: Daniher retires on premiership high
Joe Daniher has spoken of his “incredible journey” at the Lions, helping the club climb into contention and finally to a flag, with the key forward announcing his retirment on Thursday.
Lynch the Lion? How Brisbane can fill huge Daniher hole
Joe Daniher has retired, walking away from a $1m contract at the peak of his powers. JON RALPH unpacks what it means for Brisbane’s premiership defence and how the Lions can replace their spearhead.