Have you caught your breath yet? Wouldn't blame you if you haven't. The good news is you've got a week to recover and get yourself primed for next Saturday's AFL grand final between Sydney and Brisbane.

I'll be back on the blog on Monday night for the Brownlow Medal count, so I hope to see you then. Thanks for your company tonight, it's been an absolute pleasure!

Oscar McInerney popped his shoulder out, put it back in, came back on the field, popped his should back out and has ended up in hospital. None of that bodes well for a grand final appearance in a week.

His absence would be keenly felt by the Lions, but they can take heart in the knowledge most of their second-half comeback tonight was done without that talismanic ruckman.

One of a million critical moments in that game, but certainly one of the biggest. Jack Payne with a moment to remember.

Any preliminary final defeat is tough to take, but this will hurt the Cats. They were about 150 seconds away from a grand final, but when the big contests came in the dying moments they were beaten by their Lions' opponents.

There were plenty of big performances tonight, and from some of the next wave of Cats which is encouraging for the future of the club. That'll mean more when they regather for preseason, as right now tonight only represents a missed opportunity.

Reckon they're pretty happy with that one? I don't think there's any risk in Brisbane overcelebrating this one, as many teams are criticised for after prelims. The wave the Lions are riding is being built on a feeling, and scenes like this only strengthen that.

Goodness me, is it next Saturday afternoon yet? What a grand final we have in prospect.

Cam Rayner played an exceptional last quarter, and his head was still spinning when he spoke to Channel Seven after the siren,

"It's unbelievable. This group has been up for it all year. To come back and do this, it's all about moments.

"It's been tough slogging it out in the half-forward line this week, but to steady and finish it for the boys, I love this so much. Hopefully we correct our wrongs from last year.

"Time to get back to the family but get ready to go again, it's an exciting week."

First Callum Ah Chee, then Cam Rayner. Clutch.

I'm speechless. I can not believe the game of footy I have just watched. How much character does this Brisbane team possess?

How many times were the Lions done tonight? They looked miles off it in the first 10 minutes, kept alive then by the Cats' poor kicking. They couldn't win without Oscar McInerney, that's for sure. The second quarter looked to kill them off. Then Ollie Henry's goal to put Geelong ahead with two minutes to play surely put it to bed.

Not tonight. Not these Lions. They are never, NEVER beaten. And they have let that bravery and belief carry them all the way to the 2024 AFL grand final.

Still can't get my head around that. Cam Rayner's last quarter! Cal Ah Chee! Ryan Lester and Noah Answerth! Too many Lions to name.

The Swans await next Saturday, another fearsome opposition. But these Lions clearly fear no team or no situation. A staggering win.

THAT was Geelong's last chance, a sitter of a shot at goal with 30 seconds to play, and Rhys Stanley has missed it.

It's curtains for the Cats, the Lions will roar into the grand final!

And that will ice the game! The Lions' defenders stops Geelong's final chance and they can kill the clock with a minute to play!

Ashcroft! Hipwood! Rayner on his left from 50! I think the Lions are going to win it!

Two MASSIVE goals from stoppage straight out of the middle to win the biggest game of the year. The Lions are on the verge! 11 points up with 1:45 on the clock!

How do they keep doing this?!?!?

They never say die! They never lie down! The Lions force it forward and Callum Ah Chee snaps a ripper from 40 metres out!

Charlie Cameron would have had a free kick for too high, but Ah Chee snapped before he heard the whistle and nailed it. 2:12 on the clock, Lions lead by five! My word!

What a game of footy! The Lions were in, surely! It was all over! Tom Stewart just DESTROYED Zac Bailey in the biggest and best tackle of the year to save Geelong's season.

The Cats streaked forward through the middle, kept composure, dished off to Henry and let him snap a beauty from the pocket.

Incredible game. Lost for words. 2:42 to play, Cats by a point.

That was a huge chance for a stoppage goal for Cameron.

Five-point game. Handy point? Five minutes to play.

Every chance must be taken now, and Ollie Henry delivers with a big contested grab and a cool snap on his left foot.

Kai Lohmann missed a great chance at the other, and the Cats carried the ball end to end for that critical Henry goal. 6:19 to play. It's up for grabs.

Moments earlier Shannon Neale's set shot was on line but dropped a a yard short of the line, allowing Joe Daniher to recover at the last second and mark.

Cats miss a couple of critical chances. Nine minutes to play.

The Lions just keep on taking risks, keep on trying the cheeky kicks and bold runs, and it keeps on coming off! The Cats have no answer for their dare and adventure and now the lead is out to two goals.

They split them through the middle yet again, but how about the little chip kick over the shoulder from McKenna from the pocket to Morris in the goal square? Incredible.

The Cats look out on their feet as Brisbane go end to end, straight through the middle again. Geelong hasn't been able to defend the corridor at all in this second half and it might cost them the game.

Ah Chee marked in an acre of space, took his time and delivered the set shot. It's a six-point game with 11:14 on the clock.

Desperate stuff out there. Crucial last-ditch tackles at either end, half-chances missed.

The rain is falling, the pressure is at fever pitch. Lions lead it by a point.