Lions and Tigers launch AFL finals in do-or-die elimination game

And we are unchanged from the 22s that were announced last night:

Subs are Callum Ah Chee for Brisbane and Shane Edwards for Richmond. A couple of names to note in those teams:

• Dustin Martin. Say no more.
• Darcy Wilmot. Fancy making your debut in a final. A big call from Brisbane, but this young guy is built for this sort of moment though – a tough, uncompromising half-back who won’t be overawed.
• Deven Robertson. The Lions’ midfielder has struggled for games this season, but has been called up to be a big-bodied option against the tough Tigers outfit.

It’s season over for one of these two teams tonight, and both have taken the time to get a feel for the Gabba surface in recent days.

There was a bit of rain about in Brisbane earlier in the week, but it’s been warm and dry today so there should be little issue with the condition of the deck.

There could be an issue with pitch invaders though, with one already slipping through security.

That’s Lions’ big boss Greg Swann’s dog, and though the players got around it Chris Fagan was less impressed.

We have arrived.

After 23 rounds and an interminable bye week, we have at last arrived at the 2022 AFL finals series and are only nine games away from crowning a premier.

Tonight, a tantalising clash between two sides who were headed in different directions by the end of the home and away season. Brisbane’s late-season decline saw them slip out of the top four and into an elimination final against Richmond, who hit the finals at top speed and bolstered by a returning superstar.

This one has the potential to lowkey be the most entertaining of all of this weekend’s finals, so stay close to the blog as we take you through all of it.