Guide to the Geelong-Lions AFL preliminary final

A GUIDE TO THE AFL PRELIMINARY FINAL BETWEEN GEELONG AND BRISBANE LIONS:

* When: Saturday, 5.15pm AEST

* Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground

* The form:

Geelong: Obliterated Port Adelaide in their qualifying final two weeks ago with a fearsome 84-point smashing at Adelaide Oval. After stumbling mid-season, the Cats have won eight of their last 10 matches.

Brisbane Lions: Pulled off the second-equal biggest comeback in VFL/AFL finals history when they charged home from 44 points down to stun GWS last Saturday night to claim one of the club's greatest ever wins. Have won 12 of their last 14 games after starting the season 2-5.

* Head-to-head

Overall: Played: 42. Geelong 25 wins, 17 losses

In finals: Played: 3. Geelong 2 wins, 1 loss

Last time: Round 6, 2024: Geelong 9.9 (63) bt Brisbane Lions 4.13 (37) at the Gabba

Last final: Preliminary final, 2022: Geelong 18.12 (120) bt Brisbane Lions 7.7 (49) at the MCG

* Key players:

Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong). The most experienced player on the ground as he prepares for his 337th game. The Cats captain set the tone with a commanding performance in their 2022 preliminary final demolition of the Lions.

Joe Daniher (Lions). Coming off the crowning moment of his career when he kicked two clutch goals late to spearhead the Lions to an inspiring win. For a player who has been much-maligned over his career, Daniher is building an impressive finals record.

Tom Stewart (Geelong). Missed the Cats' qualifying final, but the five-time All-Australian will loom large. Although he's been one of the best defenders this century, Stewart has been used as a weapon at stoppages this season, before pushing back behind the ball.

Will Ashcroft (Lions): The 20-year-old turned the semi-final in the Lions' favour when he started dominating in the middle. Missed Brisbane's entire finals campaign last year due to injury, but already shapes as a matchwinner in just his second season.

* The stat: The Lions have not beaten Geelong outside of the Gabba since the 2004 preliminary final. Current Cats coach Chris Scott was playing for the Lions on that September night at the MCG 20 years ago.