Faint echoes of an ancient past: Comparing and contrasting Sydney and Brisbane

Let’s get the heart started with some snap judgments shall we. It’s Sydney versus Brisbane. Faint echoes of an ancient past.

The Bloods and the Roy Boys and events at the Junction Oval in the last game of the 1800s.

Both clubs retain those historical links to South Melbourne and Fitzroy and they live in the hearts of plenty in this town still.

But this is the Grand Final of the Northern pioneers… the original vision of the national competition writ large.

It’s the Grand Final of the last two teams to feel the sting of defeat in the game most cherished.

It’s the Grand Final of the early leader and the late charger.

The Swans won 13 of 14 out of the gates… they’ve had the front running duties since May.

The Lions have closed winning 13 of 15 post the bye… when they began the climb from 13th.

They’ve danced on the thin ice like only a few before. The patterns fascinate me.

In the 16 seasons prior to the introduction of the finals bye no team came through an elimination final to make the Grand Final.

In the nine seasons since … it’s now happened four times… the Bulldogs of 16 and 21, the Giants of 19 and now the Lions of 24.

There’s one premiership and two that hit the wall in the precedents.

We’d spent last week reminiscing over the ghosts of great Preliminary Finals past… and then we got one right from the top shelf.

Chris Fagan told us early in this run his team couldn’t defend its way to a Premiership.

To get chasing they’d have to attack. It’s a guise that has suited them well.

I’m convinced the Lions natural state is flow… when they play rather than stifle. Daring, skilful, thrilling football. It allows games to soar.

That Preliminary Final on Saturday saw some of the best footy we’ve ever witnessed on the elevated stage… mixed with lashings of drama.

The sheer audaciousness of Kai Lohmann, the sublime inventiveness of Gryan Miers, the daredevil exploits of Cam Reynor and Darcy Wilmot, the relentless pursuit of Tom Stewart, the terrible injury and incredible bravery of Oscar McInerney, the confusing and heartbreaking strain for Max Holmes, the tremor of the dangerous tackle laid by Patrick Dangerfield.

Geelong’s second quarter was astounding. Brisbane’s third quarter was compelling.

It tied together for all the elements we crave with a place in the Grand Final on the line deep into time on of the final term.

And what made this game distinct was the highlights continued to flow with the tension at its absolute maximum.

At the third time of asking in a Preliminary Final against Geelong, Brisbane were ready to prevail.

Dermott Brereton drew on a little William Wallace in the immediate aftermath.

…would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance to come back here?

The Lions come back to the Grand Final full of adrenalin and momentum against a Sydney side that has enjoyed the perfect preparation.