Lions star Jarrod Berry fights back tears while remembering his late mother after Brisbane shock Geelong in thriller

Lions midfielder Jarrod Berry has fought back tears while remembering his late mother after his side’s stirring comeback to advance to the season decider with a 10-point upset of Geelong.

A week after coming from 44 points down to beat GWS, the Lions erased a 25-point third-quarter deficit in their 14.11 (95) to 12.13 (85) preliminary final victory at the MCG on Saturday.

Chris Fagan’s side will meet Sydney on September 28 in the first grand final featuring two non-Victorian clubs since 2006.

It will be Brisbane’s second successive grand final appearance, following a heartbreaking four-point defeat to Collingwood last year.

Berry, 26, had an underwhelming performance last time around and said it ‘meant the world to him’ to have another shot in a grand final.

‘It’s driven me every single day,’ Berry told Seven Sport.

‘Those times during pre-season and even sometimes before big games you get flashbacks — before the Pies (game), you get flashbacks of that moment.

‘You feel responsible, but now we’re here again and I’m just so blessed to have this opportunity again.

Jarrod Berry has fought back tears while remembering his late mother during an emotional post-match interview

The Brisbane Lions booked a spot in AFL final with 10-point win against the Cats

‘Football’s not everything but it’s a very big part of my life and these boys are a very big part of my life as well and I just want to repay them with my effort, so that’s what you’ll see from me on grand final day.’

Berry’s mum Jedda passed away with breast cancer in 2013 – and Berry became emotional when reflecting on the lesson she taught him.

‘You ride the bumps and bruises with every moment, but that one for me obviously stood out,’ he said.

‘It’s part of my footy journey and it is what it is, but I’m a bigger person than just football.’

Choking back tears, he added: ‘My mum taught me about resilience and I’m a resilient person.

‘We’re back.’

The Lions, who finished fifth on the ladder, could become just the second team to win the premiership from outside the top four under the current finals system, introduced in 2000.

Lions coach Chris Fagan said he’s very proud of his team after the victory

It would complete a remarkable turnaround after coach Chris Fagan thought their flag hopes were all but over in May.

‘I’m feeling very proud of our group, not just for the resilience that they showed tonight but for the resilience that they’ve shown throughout the year,’ Fagan said.

‘We were in a pretty dicey situation at the halfway mark of the season with four wins, six losses and a draw.

‘The way those boys have gone about it and just stuck to their guns, they got a reward tonight.

‘If you had’ve said to me at the halfway mark we were going to be playing in a grand final, I probably would’ve said you’re crazy.

‘But here we are and we’ve got an opportunity. It was a fantastic win against a tremendous footy club.’