A pair of old (under) dogs giving nothing away on eve of ‘equal-dogs’ final
In the lead-up to the 2024 AFL Grand Final, Brisbane Lions head coach Chris Fagan has dismissed any notion of underdog status for his team, claiming the premiership showdown with the Sydney Swans is an “equal-dogs” affair. Fagan believes both teams are evenly matched ahead of the highly anticipated clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
During a press conference on Friday, September 27, 2024, Fagan reflected on Brisbane’s journey, which included a rocky start and two comeback finals victories to secure a second consecutive grand final berth. The Lions are eager to redeem themselves after last year’s heartbreaking four-point loss to Collingwood.
“I think we’re the equal-dogs … we go into the game both with high hopes,” Fagan stated confidently. “Sydney have been the best team all year, sitting on top of the ladder, and we’ve had a strong few months leading into this. It’s a real 50-50 battle.”
Sydney Swans head coach John Longmire echoed the competitive spirit of the final, as his side looks to bounce back from their last grand final appearance two years ago, where they suffered a heavy defeat to Geelong. This year, the Swans held top spot from round nine and enter the grand final in top form.
Swans captain Dane Rampe, stepping up in the absence of skipper Callum Mills due to a hamstring injury, shared his practical view on the challenge ahead. Having played in three losing grand finals, Rampe is determined but realistic about the task at hand.
“I’ve experienced the worst, so there’s some peace in knowing that,” Rampe said. “No one cares about your story. We just have to go out there and make it happen ourselves.”
Mills, who missed both the preliminary final and the grand final due to injury, left a significant emotional gap in the team. Longmire described the moment Mills received the news as “tough” and acknowledged the leadership qualities Mills brings to the club.
On Brisbane’s side, co-captain Harris Andrews reflected on the benefit of last year’s grand final experience, saying it helped calm nerves this time around. “Having been through those experiences and reflecting on what worked and didn’t work has been important.”
As both teams prepare for the ultimate showdown, the only confirmed lineup change is Lions ruckman Darcy Fort stepping in for the injured Oscar McInerney. The MCG is set for a blockbuster grand final, with no clear favorite in sight.
The grand final parade took place on Friday morning, and both teams will hold their final captain’s runs at the MCG in the afternoon, with excitement building for what promises to be a thrilling contest on Saturday.
