AFL finals 2024 elimination final: Carlton sent packing at the Gabba as Lions set up clash with Giants

BRISBANE LIONS 14.15 (99) d CARLTON BLUES 11.5 (71)

KEY POINTS

A year gone begging for the Blues
For Carlton, it all fell apart in the first half. But really, things began to fall apart much earlier, with a well-documented string of injuries, a resultant loss of continuity in personnel, and an inability to settle on what their best team looked like when they had the availability. It caught up with them tonight. For talent, we know they’re a better team than a beaten elimination finalist, particularly in a year as even as this one. But they lacked the luck that every premiership side needs, and have newly appointed high-performance manager Rob Inness, formerly with the Swans joining for the new campaign. Their window hasn’t closed yet.

Don’t let Zorko run free
Dayne Zorko has been many things in his football career – a magician, an antagonist, a leader, and a pest. One thing that’s never changed, however, is that he’s a beautiful user of the ball, and a brilliant decision-maker. So you don’t want to give him too much space. Zorko tore the Blues apart in the first half, always putting his teammates in a better position, starting scoring chains, playing a captain’s game without the title. Ollie Hollands went to him in the second half and was able to curtail him, but the damage was done. It was one of the best finals of the 35-year-old’s career.

Questions over Lions remain
Even after slaughtering Carlton in the first half, the Lions struggled to finish the job. Easy shots went begging, the door was (for a while) left ajar, and you could see some players retreat into their shells, especially in front of goal. Shot after shot went astray, raising questions over whether this side has the mental fortitude to progress much deeper into September. No player looked more afflicted by nerves than Eric Hipwood, who butchered the ball all night. The Lions will be on the road next week with an elimination semi-final against GWS Giants in Sydney. They will be a much harder team to overcome than the beaten-up Blues tonight.

KEY STATS

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Here’s what league headquarters has released tonight about next weekend’s games ...

Friday, 13 September
Second semi-final, Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn, Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACT/ 7.40pm AEST

Saturday, 14 September
First semi-final, GWS Giants vs Brisbane Lions, ENGIE Stadium, 7.30pm AEST

As the minor premiers, the Sydney Swans will play in the Friday night preliminary final the following week against the winner of Port Adelaide and Hawthorn. The Geelong Cats will host the winner of GWS Giants and Brisbane Lions at the MCG in the Saturday preliminary final. Timings of both games will be confirmed following the completion of week two of the 2024 AFL finals series.

BRISBANE LIONS 14.15 (99) d CARLTON BLUES 11.5 (71)

KEY POINTS

A year gone begging for the Blues
For Carlton, it all fell apart in the first half. But really, things began to fall apart much earlier, with a well-documented string of injuries, a resultant loss of continuity in personnel, and an inability to settle on what their best team looked like when they had the availability. It caught up with them tonight. For talent, we know they’re a better team than a beaten elimination finalist, particularly in a year as even as this one. But they lacked the luck that every premiership side needs, and have newly appointed high-performance manager Rob Inness, formerly with the Swans joining for the new campaign. Their window hasn’t closed yet.

Don’t let Zorko run free
Dayne Zorko has been many things in his football career – a magician, an antagonist, a leader, and a pest. One thing that’s never changed, however, is that he’s a beautiful user of the ball, and a brilliant decision-maker. So you don’t want to give him too much space. Zorko tore the Blues apart in the first half, always putting his teammates in a better position, starting scoring chains, playing a captain’s game without the title. Ollie Hollands went to him in the second half and was able to curtail him, but the damage was done. It was one of the best finals of the 35-year-old’s career.

Questions over Lions remain
Even after slaughtering Carlton in the first half, the Lions struggled to finish the job. Easy shots went begging, the door was (for a while) left ajar, and you could see some players retreat into their shells, especially in front of goal. Shot after shot went astray, raising questions over whether this side has the mental fortitude to progress much deeper into September. No player looked more afflicted by nerves than Eric Hipwood, who butchered the ball all night. The Lions will be on the road next week with an elimination semi-final against GWS Giants in Sydney. They will be a much harder team to overcome than the beaten-up Blues tonight.

KEY STATS

Carlton’s season is over after a 28-point loss in a knockout final to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night. The Lions now face Greater Western Sydney in a semi-final.