The sanctions handed down by the AFL Commission to Essendon on Tuesday night has left the door ever-so-slightly ajar for the Brisbane Lions to participate in the 2013 AFL Finals.

With the Bombers forfeiting their place in September, the Lions now effectively sit ninth on the ladder behind eighth-placed Carlton who have a far superior percentage.

For the Lions to qualify for Finals, they would need to first beat Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Saturday afternoon, and then hope that the Blues lose to Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

If those two events happen, then the Lions would slip into eighth position and book themselves a date against either Richmond or Collingwood in the first week of September.

The odds are heavily stacked against this outcome eventuating, particularly considering Geelong have lost only two of their past 50 matches at Simonds Stadium and will need to win to secure their spot inside the top two.

However, the Lions have already proven they can match it with Geelong, delivering one of the Cats’ four defeats back in Round 13 at the Gabba.

Carlton are still considered favourites to replace Essendon in the 2013 AFL Finals, with North Melbourne, Adelaide, and West Coast all back in the hunt.

The Lions players haven’t been presented with an opportunity like this since 2009, so will have plenty to play for when they travel to Geelong on Saturday.