Geelong star defender Tom Stewart is the latest Grand Final heartbreak story, with his concussion following a dangerous tackle by Hawthorn forward Mabior Chol ruling him out of the final weekend of September.
He may be joined by Lions midfielder Jarrod Berry, with the 27-year-old's availability for the decider in doubt following a second left shoulder dislocation within a month.
These two aren't the only players to face the devastation of a missed premiership opportunity in recent years, however.
Since 2013, there have been six notable instances of key players being ruled out of a Grand Final due to an injury suffered in the penultimate week of the Finals Series.
Here's every premiership heartbreak story in the last 13 AFL seasons.
3Max Holmes (2022)
Holmes' 2022 season was a breakout year for the then 20-year-old and his hamstring injury in the second half against Brisbane was a devastating blow for Geelong entering the Grand Final.
Ultimately, his absence didn't matter too much as the Cats blew the Swans away from the onset, but it created a bittersweet feeling for Geelong fans, as Holmes had featured in 18 games that year.
Holmes once again could have been a heartbreak story in last year's Grand Final, with the speedster injuring his hamstring in the 10-point loss to Brisbane, meaning he would have been unable to play in the Grand Final had Geelong won.
His injury threw Geelong's rhythm into turmoil as the Lions ultimately overran the Cats, chasing down a 25-point deficit to find themselves in the 2024 Grand Final, which they'd go on to comfortably win.
Thankfully for Cats fans, Holmes got through this week's preliminary final unscathed and will certainly line up for Geelong on Saturday as the emerging superstar seeks his first premiership medal.
