Carlton hit a 50-year low and narrowly avoided more unwanted AFL finals history before the Brisbane Lions defied brief resistance to seal a 28-point elimination final victory.

The Lions will play Greater Western Sydney for a spot in a preliminary final against Geelong, ending the Blues' fluctuating season with a 14.15 (99) to 11.5 (71) win on Saturday night.

The hosts kicked the first nine goals and notched the first 60 points of the contest, the Blues the first team not to score in the opening quarter of a finals game since 1974.

The inside-50 count was evenly split (56-56), but Brisbane's delivery was far superior as Carlton stumbled towards half-time still searching for a point.

Patrick Cripps' snapped major with five minutes remaining in the term meant they avoided becoming the first scoreless team after two terms in AFL history.

The margin was 47 at the main break, only one more than the deficit the Blues pulled back in an unbelievable opening-round win at the same venue.

And a miraculous repeat briefly looked possible as the Blues kicked five goals in 15 minutes either side of the main break.

The lead was 31 when the Lions butchered two brilliant chances to stop the rot, first Logan Morris hitting the post from directly in front, then Zac Bailey run down when he received the ball in an open goal.

Callum Ah Chee's goal soon afterwards settled any nerves, the Lions up by 40 points at the final break, only for the Blues to kick the game's last three goals to complete the see-sawing contest.

Jack Payne, returning from a foot injury, was substituted out with a knee injury that will require scans, in the only sour note for Lions coach Chris Fagan.

Dayne Zorko (29 disposals), Will Ashcroft (20) and Lachie Neale (27) were all superb for the hosts, while Cameron Rayner flew spectacularly for a mark that led to the second of his three goals.

Tom De Koning was influential as a tactical substitute in the second quarter for a desperate Carlton, while Cripps (31 touches, one goal) and Sam Walsh (28 touches) battled hard.

Sam Docherty, in his return less than six months after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament at the same ground, had 16 touches and a late goal.

AAP