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Geelong's Max Holmes could miss a second AFL grand final after being substituted out through injury in the preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions.

Geelong dasher Max Holmes faces AFL grand final heartbreak for the second time after he was substituted out of the Cats' preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions through a injury.

If the Cats win through to next Saturday's grand final against Sydney, Holmes, who missed out on their 2022 flag in similar circumstances, appears at best in a race against time to feature.

Holmes, 22, appeared to tweak his left hamstring when he slipped attempting to kick the ball off the ground in the third quarter of Saturday evening's game at the MCG.

He spent more than 15 minutes on the bench in the third term receiving treatment and massage on his hamstring before returning to play.

But early in the final quarter, a proppy Holmes took possession, and immediately after getting a kick away, turned to the bench and signalled he could not continue.

Brisbane led by a point when Holmes, who had 20 disposals and had been among Geelong's better players, was quickly substituted out for Mitch Duncan.

Holmes was substituted out of the 2022 preliminary final with a hamstring issue and although he passed fitness tests, coach Chris Scott opted not to risk him in that year's decider against Sydney.

He instead had to watch on as his teammates thrashed the Swans and became premiership players.

Holmes has since become one of the Cats' best players.