Collingwood look the biggest winners after GWS beat Brisbane by three points in a brutal, controversial and absorbing AFL semi-final.
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The Giants' 12.11 (83) to 11.14 (80) win booked a spot against the Magpies in next Saturday's twilight preliminary final at the MCG.
The torrid duel at the Gabbatoir would have made pleasant Saturday night viewing for Magpies coach Nathan Buckley, who was at the game.
Michael Christian will also have a busy match review, with several significant incidents during the match.
After Giants star Toby Greene was referred directly to the tribunal and fined last Monday for making contact with the face of Western Bulldogs onballer Marcus Bontempelli, he will come under scrutiny again.
Greene, high among the Giants' best against Brisbane, was involved in an incident during the second term where Lions onballer Lachie Neale was left holding his face.
"I understand there's always going to be speculation on any game that's gone that close. There was some close checking," Giants coach Leon Cameron said.
"There are always some huge hits and tackles ... I have no concerns, even though I haven't obviously watched the replay."
Calling it a great result for the Giants, Cameron also had no doubt that his team would be physically ready for the Magpies.
"We have a seven-day break - we jump on a plane more than any other footy club," Cameron said.
"There's no doubt they need the next 48-72 hours to physically and mentally recover, because that was a cracking game ... but I'm really confident our guys will do everything right."
Capping a tumultuous night, Lions veteran and four-time Hawthorn premiership player Luke Hodge confirmed his retirement soon after the final siren.
A whopping 54 free kicks were paid, 31-23 in the Giants' favour, and umpire Ray Chamberlain rivalled Greene as the most unpopular man in front of a crowd of 30,034.
GWS small forward Brent Daniels kicked an outstanding running goal with less than three minutes to put his team in front - the 10th lead change of the match.
The Giants then hung on grimly to secure the win.
While the Lions went out in straight sets, they lost no friends with their performance against GWS.
But they were left ruing a 19-7 inside 50 free count for the last quarter in their favour.
Giants co-captain Phil Davis was immense in defence as the two teams kicked two goals apiece in the frenetic final term.
After the Giants had mauled the Western Bulldogs and the Lions had blown their chances against Richmond the week before, this was always going to be a fierce clash.
Umpire Shaun Ryan was heard in the match audio telling the Giants he would pay free kicks against them if they kept targeting Charlie Cameron's bandaged elbow.
The All-Australian Lion was hurt in the first few minutes.
Brisbane hard-nut Nick Robertson will also come under scrutiny for whacking opponent Lachie Whitfield in his sore lower back.
Whitfield slumped to the ground, then angrily pushed Robertson in the chest.
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Australian Associated Press
