Updated November 7, 2026 — 8:02pm , first published 3:26pm

With 18 seconds left on the clock at Ikon Park, Geelong star Chloe Scheer took a deep breath and lined up for a set shot, directly in front and about 20 metres from goal.

After a dominant first half of Saturday’s qualifying final, the Cats coughed up a 28-point margin to a surging Melbourne to find themselves five points down in the dying minutes of the final quarter.

Sheer joy: The Demons snatched the win. Getty Images

An always-reliable Scheer took her shot as Melbourne defenders watched on helplessly – but it sailed wide for a point.

Cue pandemonium from the euphoric Demons, who won the nail-biting game by four points, and devastation for the Cats in what will go down as one of the greatest AFLW finals in history.

It was a fourth-quarter masterclass from the Demons to snatch the lead and win 8.8 (56) to 8.4 (52), booking a preliminary final berth.

Saturday’s highly anticipated match-up saw Cats coach Mick Stinear face his old Demons – a…