GEELONG has recorded a heartbreaking 10-point loss to Brisbane in their preliminary final clash at the MCG on Saturday night.

The sea-sawing contest saw both sides produce a brilliant game of football, but it was the Lions who led on the final siren, recording a 14.11 (95) to 12.13 (85) victory.

CATS v LIONS Full match coverage and stats

The game's first 10 minutes of football was error riddled as both sides adjusted to the occasion, but when Charlie Cameron slotted the opening goal it was suddenly game-on.

Jeremy Cameron got the instant reply before back-to-back goals to end the first term saw the Lions take a nine-point lead into quarter time.

Less than five minutes into the second term both sides had four goals on the board, Oscar McInerney had left the ground with a dislocated shoulder, had it put back in, taped up and was reinserted into the fray, Kai Lohmann took a late Mark of the Year contender (or at least a runner-up chance to Isaac Heeney's also-ineligible qualifying final speccy) and Gryan Miers combined with Ollie Henry for a soccer goal worthy of a World Cup final.

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Miers transforms to Messi again in epic assist

Gryan Miers lives up to the Lionel Messi label with this remarkable soccer effort creating a goal for Oliver Henry

By half-time there were 13 goals kicked, one of them another Miers miracle, and the Cats held a 19-point lead.

However, with a comeback win from 44 points down against Greater Western Sydney last week fresh in their minds, the Lions knew they were well in the contest and went about reining in the lead.

Five goals to two had Brisbane in front by two points at the final change.

The fourth quarter didn't see a drop in intensity, with scores level midway through before the Lions kicked two on the trot.

Oliver Henry's third had Geelong back within a kick before his fourth minutes later stole a one-point lead.

Momentum seemed to have swung the Cats way, but nothing was going to be that simple, Callum Ah Chee burying a long snap to put Brisbane back in front and Cam Rayner kicking another from 50 to seal the result.

GEELONG    1.5    8.7     10.8      12.13 (85)
BRISBANE   3.2    5.6    10.10    14.11 (95)

GOALS
Geelong: O.Henry 4, Miers 2, Cameron 2, Mannagh, Dempsey, Dangerfield, Blicavs
Brisbane: Ah Chee 3, Morris 2, Cameron 2, Bailey 2, Rayner 2, McCluggage, Hipwood, Lohmann