3 minute read

Harris Andrews sees shades of 2022 in the Lions' current AFL finals run and has revealed how they've approached this week differently to avoid the same result.

The Brisbane Lions have moved on quickly from a great semi-final escape and instead cast their minds back two years in an attempt to avoid another "mess" in a Geelong rematch.

The Cats trounced the Lions in 2020 and 2022 preliminary finals and are unbeaten in Victoria against last year's AFL grand finalists since 2004.

Geelong, premiers in 2022, have reached 13 of the past 18 preliminary finals, while the Lions are the only team to play in the past six finals series.

The competition's two most consistent forces will meet again on Saturday at the MCG looking to book a place in the grand final.

In 2022 the Lions had beaten Richmond at the Gabba, then upset Melbourne at the MCG, only to be dismantled in a 71-point thrashing by the Cats.

This season they have beaten Carlton and come from 44 points down to eclipse Greater Western Sydney on the road.

Lions co-captain Harris Andrews, who extended his contract by four years until 2029 on Thursday, admits they have learnt plenty from that campaign.

"We'd come off this pretty emotional win, the whole MCG hoodoo ... something we've leaned on this time is to make sure we moved on quickly," he said.

"The proof will be in the pudding on Saturday afternoon.

"Each final's a different game. Clearly we'll get some belief, the vibes are good.

"If we think we're going to come out and it's just going to happen for us it'll be ... a bit of a mess."

Geelong are 25-7 against Brisbane since the Lions won the last of their three straight premierships in 2003.

"We're both two competitive football clubs, they've had such sustained success and we are really striving towards that," Andrews said of the rivalry.

"We haven't put our best foot forward in those last couple of finals against them.

"But it's a new year and we've had a lot of growth from those moments."

Andrews said last year's preliminary final defeat of Carlton, after they had conceded the first five goals, was one of those moments.

"It's about capitalising on your moments and not sort of losing your head," he said. 

"Last year ... our ability to move on was important. 

"We didn't get carried away. At this time of year it can be a bit of a roller-coaster, so don't get too high or too low."