AFL Finals 2024: Brisbane look for redemption as Carlton bring back reinforcements for final

The first set of finals are done and dusted, and we move to just two games a week approaching the decider.

Friday night will see Port take on the Hawks while Brisbane will travel to Engie Stadium to face the Giants.

We will see you then!

It’s tough reading for Carlton fans, but the Lions are smiling. Here’s the match report.

Jack Payne is all but certain to miss the semi for the Lions after injuring his MCL in the second quarter.

195cm key back and Irishman Darragh Joyce is the likely replacement and has been playing good footy.

But he will have his hands full with Jesse Hogan and Aaron Cadman.

It was a horror half from Carlton that cost them as the Lions booked a semifinal berth.

Here are our key takeaways.

The Blues found their self-respect in the second half, but you can’t go scoreless for 57 minutes and allow the Lions a 60-point head start and get away with it.

Hewett and Cripps were massive, but Zorko and Neale were able to match them and stop the Blues from gaining control.

Carlton finished the game with just 11 points more than what the Lions had at the half despite booting seven of the last 11 goals in the match.

For the Lions, the Giants await next week, but it will be a very tough ask for them, and they will need more from their forwards than tonight’s effort.

Cameron adds a second goal in crafty fashion and Brisbane can start getting ready for a showdown with the Giants in next weekend’s semifinal.

BL 99, CAR 51

Docherty is rewarded for his hard work with a nice goal on the one.

Sadly, it will be meaningless but he has been a solid contributor all night after a nightmare injury history.

BL 86, CAR 51

Kai Lohmann slots the goal after he was left all alone in the pocket for an uncontested chest mark.

The Lions have now kicked two goals and seven behinds since half time but this should be beyond the Blues now.

BL 80, CAR 45

Carlton get the first of the last as McKay finally converts a set shot.

The Blues are being bold and need to be if they are to be a chance.

BL 73, CAR 38

For all of Carlton’s hard work they only managed three goals to the Lion’s one.

It leaves them needing to run down a 40-point margin in one quarter.

Hewett and Cripps are now the leading ball winners and Walsh is starting to work into the game.

However, it all feels a little bit late with McKay struggling to do anything right up forward.