Brisbane have secured back-to-back AFL Grand Finals following a second come from behind resurgence in as many weeks, partly on the back of late stage lifts from forward duo Charlie Cameron and Callum Ah Chee.
Ah Chee registered his first of three majors to snap a run of four straight Cats goals and kickstart the Lions' tally of seven from the next eight shortly after half time, as Brisbane clawed back at a 15-point deficit in the swinging contest.
After late heroics, the 2023 runner-ups escaped with a 14.11 (95) - 12.13 (85) win.
Geelong veteran Rhys Stanley missed a set shot to cut the margin under a goal in the final minute of play.
Scoreboard additions built a far more frantic pace than the start of the afternoon fixture.
18 minutes of play passed before Charlie Cameron drew first blood from the full extent of the forward pocket.
Charlie Cameron breaks the deadlock and kicks the Lions' first!! 🏍️@Coles | #AFLFinals | #AFLCatsLions pic.twitter.com/iaR8UCSsrm
— AFL (@AFL) September 21, 2024
Geelong failed to capitalise on early opportunities at goal, entering the first break trailing by nine with five behinds on the board.
A seven goal to two second quarter in their favour made their spot in next week's decider look a strong chance before Brisbane worked their way back into the contest.
Of the Lions' second half response, Ah Chee told National Indigenous Times the side have stayed firm on their ability to step up a gear after climbing up the table in the back end of the home-and-away rounds, and after a 44-point comeback over GWS the previous week.
"We've experienced everything this year. Teams threw everything at us, and we've been in every position...I think we were just really confident that we were going to be able to do it in that last quarter and everyone stood up and went the extra extra step," Ah Chee said.
Ah Chee finished the night with a team-high 3.0 in front of goal, his last producing the match's final lead change.
With his side trailing by a point with under five to play, the 26-year-old pounced on a loose ball and would-be free kick for Cameron to send the stands into raptures.
AH CHEEEEEE! LIONS BACK IN FRONT!#AFLFinals | #AFLCatsLions pic.twitter.com/AhwJSu62Zx
— AFL (@AFL) September 21, 2024
"I heard the crowd go off...I didn't know who kicked it. Everyone's run off to chase someone (Ah Chee). You live for these moments. You want to enjoy it. Unreal," Cameron told National Indigenous Times.
In his fifth prelim and fourth with Brisbane, Cameron finished with 2.0 from 12 touches, and two clearances.
"I think we're just having fun, and enjoying each other's company and everyone's just giving themselves to the team. Unreal the last couple of weeks, you've got to enjoy it while you can," Cameron said of the team's ability to switch things on in the later stages.
Ah Chee said the group "have believed all year, especially after that rough patch (a 0-3 start)".
"We knew we could play good footy, and we did towards the backhand. We've got one more to go," he added.
In the Cats' heartbreak, Lawson Humphries showed continued signs of composure and skill level from behind the ball, while Tyson - despite keeping busy and looking dangerous around the drop of the ball, was unable to recapture recent finals form.
Brisbane meet Sydney in the AFL Grand Final at the MCG next Saturday.
