The AFL Grand Final is upon us, pitting the Brisbane Lions against the Sydney Swans in a clash where even bookmakers are calling the odds almost dead even. With experts split and anticipation reaching fever pitch, the question on everyone’s mind is: who will emerge Premiers?
As we brace ourselves for this epic showdown, it’s worth reflecting on the season’s most dramatic turnarounds, reminding us that no lead is safe. The Lions, in particular, have proven themselves masters of the comeback, defying the odds to win 10 of their last games where they trailed at halftime. Could history repeat itself on the biggest stage of all? Join us as we delve into the top 10 comebacks of the 2024 AFL season.
Collingwood coming from 54 points down to beat North Melbourne in Round 14
It’s hard not to forget about this remarkable comeback. Collingwood kicked eight of the last nine goals from late in the third term to win the game by two points at Marvel Stadium. The Pies were down by 54 just after halftime.
North fans will remember the controversial non-call of a 50m penalty against Steele Sidebottom and Beau McCreery in the dying stages. Nick Daicos kicked the ball off the ground with 45 seconds left to North’s Bailey Scott who marked but was then tackled immediately by the Pies players who must have thought the kick didn’t travel far enough.
The Pies were left off, and Scott sent the ball deep inside 50. Then Darcy Tucker and Zac Fisher narrowly missed snapshots in the last 30 seconds to lose the game by two points and gift the Pies one of the greatest comebacks in the game’s history.
Nick Daicos had 19 disposals and two goals in the second half to help turn the game, and Bobby Hill finished the game off superbly with three clutch goals in the final term.
Carlton coming from 46 points down in Opening Round to beat Brisbane
Down by 46 points late in the second term, Harry McKay kicked a set-shot goal from 40m out with 75 seconds left to give the Blues the one-point win at the Gabba in Opening Round.
After the Lions had blown out to a 59-13 lead midway through the second, the Blues got themselves back in with the help of Charlie Curnow booting four goals. Patrick Cripps was also influential, gaining a game-high 17 touches across the second and third quarters and then kicking a clutch goal late to put the Blues two points ahead with 15 minutes left.
Brisbane v Carlton Highlights | Opening Round, 2024 | AFL
Port Adelaide snatching victory from Hawthorn in the dying stages after being 41 points down in round 10
You wouldn’t believe it, with the ball on the wing in the hands of Port Adelaide and 45 seconds left, they managed to score two goals in the short time to claim a thrilling one-point win in front of their home fans at Adelaide Oval.
Willie Rioli scored the first goal from a quick set-shot 50m directly in front before Darcy Byrne-Jones soccered off the ground to steal victory in the nick of time.
GWS coming from 39 points down to beat Carlton in round 17
After Carlton got out to a 39-point lead late in the first term at Engie Stadium, the Giants kicked 15 of the next 18 goals to lead by six goals at the final break.
Jesse Hogan booted five goals for the game which all came in the second and third terms. Tom Green was also massive in the comeback, recording 21 disposals and a goal across the second and third quarters. He finished with 33 touches for the game while veteran Callan Ward had 33 touches and two goals.
Harry McKay’s five goals wasn’t enough to get the Blues over the line in the end as they went down by 12 points.
Sydney coming from 35 points down to beat Geelong in round 13
35 points down midway through the second term, Sydney ended up winning by 30 points in a remarkable comeback at the SCG.
Tom Papley was massive in the game with four goals while Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney both had 26 touches and two goals. Joel Amartey also kicked three goals from nine touches.
The Swans got their first lead of the game through Papley late in the third term after several behinds were kicked.
Sydney Swans v Geelong Highlights | Round 13, 2024 | AFL
West Coast coming from 35 points down to beat North Melbourne in round 22
Down in Hobart, West Coast stunned the Roos with an incredible comeback win after being 35 points down midway through the third quarter.
The Eagles kicked 11 of the last 16 goals to snatch the five-point victory between the lowly-placed ladder sides.
Eagles tall forward Oscar Allen was crucial in the thrilling win with five goals in the second half while Jamie Cripps also stood up with three goals in the final half. Jeremy McGovern was also crucial with a team-high 15 touches in the second half.
Fremantle coming from 33 points down in round 2 to beat North Melbourne
The Roos got off to a flyer kicking eight of the first 11 goals to get out to a 33-point lead late in the second term. But the Dockers flicked the switch and kicked nine in a row after this to gain a healthy 23-point lead going into the final quarter where they ended up winning by 26 points.
Freo midfielder Caleb Serong was best on ground with 35 touches, eight clearances and five inside 50s.
Collingwood coming from 31 points down to beat Port Adelaide
What a game and what a win for Collingwood. After a poor start where the Power kicked six of the first seven goals, the Pies came back to win by a huge 42 points at the MCG.
It looked like a different game after quarter time with Patrick Lipinski leading the way for Collingwood with four goals while Brody Mihocek fired three.
Port Adelaide coming from 31 points down to beat Carlton in round 20
After a close start to the game, the Blues kicked six goals in a row in the second term to take a 31-point lead. But the Power responded brilliantly after half time at Marvel Stadium, kicking seven goals and keeping the Blues to one to win by 14 points.
Goals to Esava Ratugolea, Jackson Mean, Jason Horne-Francis and Darcy Byrne-Jones in the final term pushed Port over the line.
St Kilda coming from 30 points down to beat Sydney in a round 17 surprise
Not many expected St Kilda to win this game particularly when the ladder-leading Swans got out to a game-high five goal lead midway through the third term. But Ross Lyon’s side proved many wrong as the Saints kick four goals in the final term and kept the Swans goal less to win by two points.
Swans tall forward Logan McDonald had the chance to win the game with a set shot 45m directly in front but missed in the dying stages similar to the week before. Then with 53 seconds left on the clock, the Saints held on to win in an upset at Marvel Stadium.
Last Two Minutes: St Kilda v Sydney Swans | Round 17, 2024 | AFL
GWS coming from 30 points down to beat Brisbane in round 22
The Lions were all over the Giants early as they took a 31-1 advantage after the first term. The Giants, however, fought back and got their first lead of the game through Darcy Jones with seven minutes left in the game. From there Jones kicked another before Aaron Cadman scored the last to lead the Giants to a 18-point win at the Gabba.
Brisbane Lions v GWS Giants Highlights | Round 22, 2024 | AFL
