Hello and welcome to Zero Hanger's live coverage of the 2024 AFL Grand Final, with the season's premiership to be decided between the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions.

Having suffered grand final defeats in the past two years, both sides are seeking redemption on the biggest stage of them all. Sydney plan to snap a three-game losing run of grand finals and secure their first flag since 2012, while Brisbane are hoping to claim their first premiership in 21 years.

Follow the 2024 AFL Grand Final below...

>>> STAT LEADERS, TEAM METRICS, LINEUPS, HISTORY AND MORE

 2024-09-28T04:30:00Z 
MATCH IN PROGRESS
MCG
SYD   
26
Q2 10:43
34
   BL
    #AFLSwansLions
MATCH CENTRE ▶︎   

2nd Quarter

13:31: A goal-line scramble ensues after Hipwood's high shot on goal ricochets off the deck back toward goal. Daniher can't gather and is brought to ground by a couple of Swans, with a score review showing the ball comes off McCartin before going over the line.

14:22: Fox walks into the goalsquare for a comfortable major from point-blank range after a 50-metre penalty is paid against Zorko for encroaching the mark 55m out from goal.

14:40: Lachie Neale takes as few bounces out of the back half with time and space. His kick up the wing goes over Bailey's head but the Lion gathers, runs and handballs it over to Lohmann, who kicks his third from 40m out on the run.

Matchups: James Jordon has dropped his run-with role on Zorko and is now staying close to the hot hand of Hugh McCluggage.

18:59: The first score of the term comes from Warner, who is found in space 45m out from goal by Fox with a retreating handball. His one-step shot goes to the left for a point.

1st Quarter

An even contest that could've been more favourable for Brisbane if they could capitalise.  Both sides are balancing quick ball movement with possession football. The game has broken out at times, allowing several clean chances on goal, mostly for the Lions, while the Swans have looked to control the play in the front half and meticulously open up Brisbane's backline.

Lion Hugh McCluggage has a game-high nine disposals to go with his goal, with teammate Kai Lohmann managing multiple majors in the opening quarter and Ah Chee having as many goal assists. Ah Chee also has an equal game-high five score involvements, tied with Joe Daniher.

Brisbane have 33 more touches for the game already, limiting all Swans to less than seven disposals each.

Quarter Time
Sydney: 3. 1. 19
Brisbane: 4. 3. 27

0:09: This time it's Brisbane with the slow build-up, working the ball up the field at a lower tempo. A handball over to Berry from Rayner on the wing sees the ball quickly kicked deep into the pocket and lands with Cameron. The Lions' gun steps onto his right foot and bends it through with perfection.

1:54: The Swans get their third of the quarter with less than two minutes on the clock via Rowbottom. After slowing down the game and controlling the possession, the Sydney midfielder is found with some space near the 50m arc, no angle. He goes back, steps around onto his right foot and drills it.

4:18: A 50-50 contest between Ah Chee and Blakey 50m out from the Lions' goal is spilt after the latter looked to have been collected high. No whistle comes and McCluggage gathers, runs towards goal and slots one from 40m out.

5:10: A third chance for Daniher, this time a set shot in the pocket on his favoured left side. He quickly steps around but shanks his kick to the close side for a behind.

8:24: Another for Lohmann within a minute as the Lions get forward and find Ah Chee again. Hipwood gets his hands on it before finding Lohmann front and centre, with the young Lion's snap shot from 20m out pinpoint.

8:41: The Lions manage to gain space through the corridor and Ah Chee is found with nobody around him 35m from goal. He has a number of options over the top and passes one by foot to Lohmann who halves the distance from goal for a set shot. Kai makes no mistake.

11:43: Two goals in 20 seconds for the Swans! Warner's kick inside 50 from the clearance bounces up to McLean, who finds Papley with a handball and the Sydney small forward bends one through from 40m out on a tough angle.

12:01: Amartey gets a free kick in the pocket following a marking contest and Hayward's quick thinking sees him collect the spilt ball and snap truly from 20m out. First blood to the Bloods!

15:44: The Lions link up on the wing with Dunkley, Berry and Hipwood all getting in on the action. The latter's long kick into attacking 50 lands in the lap of Daniher 35m out from goal on a 45-degree angle. His kick, like Cameron's prior, starts and stays right for a behind.

Matchups: Swan James Jordon has gone to Dayne Zorko in a tagging role in attack. Brandon Starcevich has the role on Tom Papley, while Harry Cuningham has the job on Charlie Cameron at the other end. Swans veteran Luke Parker is looking to make Harris Andrews accountable in Sydney's attack too.

18:27: Cameron is paid the mark 25m out from goal, with Neale gathering the ground ball after it's spilt, but his goal doesn't count and it's brought back to Cameron. The Lions livewire can't capitalise as his kick misses to the right narrowly.

20:00 (mins remaining): We're underway at the MCG...

Pre-Match

And it all comes down to today!

Both teams go into the game as selected, with Braeden Campbell (Swans) and Conor McKenna (Lions) named as the tactical subs.

COIN TOSS: Brisbane have won the toss and will kick to the Punt Road end to start the game.

Sydney enter the encounter as the favoured side, having taken out the minor premiership with 17 wins during the home and away season - three more than the Lions.

The two sides have taken separate routes to get to today, with the Swans progressing to a home preliminary final immediately from a thrilling come-from-behind quakufying final win over GWS in week one. After another week's break, the New South Wales side notched up a comfortable victory over Port Adelaide at the SCG last week to book their fifth grand final under coach John Longmire.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Tom Papley of the Swans warms up prior to the AFL Grand Final match between Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Brisbane took a longer path to the grand final, having started their September series with an elimination final over Carlton before a stellar win over GWS in Sydney's west a week later after trailing by 44 points in the game. The Lions removed a sizeable deficit again last week against Geelong at the MCG to go three from three this post-season.