Live: Lions knock Blues out of finals at the Gabba, Swans beat Giants in stunning AFL comeback

In the end, if Carlton had just been regular bad in the first half instead of historically horrendous it would have had a serious chance.

There’s no doubt the Lions were in preservation mode a little in the second half, but they have been a bit flakey all year late in games. All you have to do really is not be 60 points down in the second quarter and you might have a sniff.

But that first half from Carlton was nightmare fuel, about as bad as the Blues possibly could have paid. With five minutes to play in the second they had not scored a single point. After that it doesn’t really matter how well you play in the second half.

The Lions saw off the occasional threat of a comeback and can now look ahead to the huge challenge of GWS in Sydney. Their premiership dream lives on for at least another week, while it’s back to the drawing board for the Blues.

Nic Newman was reported for this incident with Lachie Neale, and may well be facing a delayed start to his 2025 season.

McKay took a strong mark and then got a clip around the ear from Hipwood, earning him the 50m penalty and shot from the goalsquare.

The margin really is quite respectable in the end, which is almost more frustrating for Blues fans than if it had of ended in a blowout.

That was a strong clunk from Pittonet in a big pack inside 50. Tom De Koning has made an impact for the Blues since coming on as the sub, he’s been good in the ruck and has freed Pittonet up to play forward at times.

It’s a 36-point game.

Free kick out of the middle is followed by a free kick in the marking contest, and Pittonet takes advantage.

Down to 3:19 left in this one. Carlton in the final moments of its 2024 season.

It could have been raffled off between Ah Chee, Rayner and Cameron but in the end it was Charlie’s toe that propelled the ball home.

Country Roads are taking the Lions fans home, and Charlie is singing along with them.

In the wake of that fantastic Morris goal it’s all kicking off. Tempers have been hot in this second half and now someone (Nic Newman maybe?) has whacked Lachie Neale high off the ball.

As he got back to his feet the brawl continued. Neale has now been given a free kick after the goal was kicked by Morris. A double chance for Brisbane, which Neale couldn’t take.

And all the Blues players get out to him to congratulate him for the snag.

Docherty hasn’t been at his best tonight – how could he be? – but that is a nice moment for a beloved man.

This is more like what they were expecting in the second half! Big marks, big goals and joyous celebrations. Rayner delivers all three with that play.

The anxiety has left the Gabba now and they can enjoy the rest of this game.

Brisbane has missed a few chances in this quarter, which isn’t unusual for the Lions. But with that Lohmann mark and snap from the pocket I think you can safely put a line through this one.

Back out to 35 points with 9:38 on the clock.

It’s a 29-point game! Under five goals for the first time in a very long time.

Nic Newman took an incredibly courageous mark at half-back, and then the Blues had a crack straight through the middle of the ground. It worked this time, and Acres marked 45 from goal. Clutch set shot converted. 13:19 to play.

One goal down, six to go for the Blues.

McKay takes a strong mark on Andrews and converts his set shot. The Blues have 16:49 left to overturn a 35-point deficit. They’re going to roll the dice.

Certainly a more competitive and entertaining quarter, but Carlton remains too far back to have any serious hope here.

The Lions were slow out of the blocks after half-time but settled fairly quickly, and if not for some clownery in front of goal probably could have boosted that margin back out a little further.

Still, 40 points up at three-quarter-time of an elimination final is a good place to be. They’ve just got to manage their way through it from here.

The lead is back out to 40 points, so the Blues really need to find at least one more before the break to keep any minor hope of a miracle alive.

You’ve never seen a goal that puts a team 39 points up celebrated in such a style, as if a giant sigh of relief was released around the ground.

The Lions have started winning a couple of contests again and kept a bit of composure inside 50. Ah Chee was able to run it in to an open goal, and unlike his teammtes he made no mistake.

Logan Morris has missed a set shot from 15 metres out, directly in front and now Zac Bailey has had a fresh-airy at a kick from inside the goalsquare.

Inexplicable mistakes, perhaps only explained by pressure. They’re still in front by 33 points!

Now then! I’m not prepared to declare things “interesting” yet, but I will elevate the situation to “intriguing”.

It’s a 31-point game, but the Blues are running on top of the ground right now. They’re dominating the midfield, looking sharper than the Lions for the first time all night and are finding options inside 50. McKay marked in space and converted this time.

The Carlton midfield is getting to work and the Blues are creating by hand. Sam Walsh burst out of the stoppage and had composure, ignoring some initial options to find Hollands in plenty of space.

The left-footed snap from Hollands was lovely and now there’s just a tiny bit of belief brewing.

So that’s three in a row now for the Blues, which some will tell you constitutes a momentum swing. When you trail by 43 points still, it’s a bit tougher to make that case.

Nice set shot from Hewett, which just barely carried the pack from 45 out.