Brisbane has advanced to its sixth straight Preliminary Final, claiming a 13-point victory over Melbourne.
It’s third time lucky for the Lions who have been unable to claim victory over Melbourne in their past two finals meetings, extending their win streak to a Club-highest eight games.
Melbourne’s path has become all the more challenging too, with star forward Eden Zanker controversially ruled out of the contest on the eve of half time despite passing a SCAT6 test.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Lions, with alarm bells ringing early as three of Melbourne’s first four scoring chances stemming from their lackadaisical defence.
Conversely, Melbourne’s own defence was impassable with 12 forward half intercepts to three in the first term alone.
Tayla Harris was the first to capitalise, with a late handball from Shelley Heath exposing Brisbane to seal her side’s first goal of the afternoon.
Megan Fitzsimon and Kate Hore were shortly afforded chances in a similar fashion, and it was Hore who converted, marking her 100th AFLW goal.
Craig Starcevich urged his side not to “overuse the ball” and move it forward at all costs.
A scoreless first quarter for Brisbane loomed large but it was no bad omen as they heeded his advice, claiming an +31 uncontested possession advantage which served as the catalyst for a second quarter domination.
Dakota Davidson – who had kicked 1.6 across the past two weeks – took her moment when it mattered to open the floodgates.
She has kicked more goals against Melbourne than any other player.
A Cathy Svarc tag on Hore flipped the contest, allowing Ally Anderson and Belle Dawes to begin to assert their dominance.
Ultimately, the eventual 18-31 clearance differential proved too much for the Demons to overcome.
Whilst they recorded three more inside 50s, Brisbane was clinical with its entries and dictated the contest to lead the disposal count by 36.
Brisbane was the side which came into today sweating its accuracy, but after rueing missed opportunities in their last meeting, it was Melbourne who left goals on the table.
The Demons fought back late, but a quick reply through Anderson all but sealed victory for the Lions.
Anderson starred with two goals and 28 disposals while Jade Ellenger’s 16 disposals and five tackles were influential after she was well held in their last meeting.
Hore (one goal, 31 disposals) remained far and away the best afield despite Melbourne’s loss.
They will now have to take the difficult route if they want to add more silverware to their collection, with a loss meaning they sit on North Melbourne’s side of the fixture.
DOWN AND OUT
Star Melbourne forward Eden Zanker was controversially ruled out on the eve of half time, despite passing a SCAT6 test.
Widely predicted to be the difference-maker after last week’s four goal haul, she returned to the contest momentarily following a first-quarter head knock, but was later ruled out.
Melbourne have confirmed that there is no certainty as to whether she will be available to play next week.
Brisbane’s All-Australian squad member Jennifer Dunne was also restricted by an early knee injury.
HARRIS’ HARDSHIP
When Zanker left the contest, all eyes turned to Harris.
The star forward was unable to impact, adding only two disposals to her tally after quarter time.
There was no shortage of opportunity, with Melbourne finishing +3 for inside 50s.
If it’s to keep its season alive next week, Harris will need to lift.
ON THE SIREN
Mere moments before the three-quarter-time siren, Hampson afforded Brisbane a 14-point lead.
Her classy left foot strike sailed straight through the middle, prompting a roar from the Brisbane cheer squad residing in the nearest pocket.
It proved to be game-shaping as they claimed the 13-point win.
TAKE A CHANCE
A scoreless first quarter left Brisbane looking vulnerable, but the script flipped in a matter of minutes.
Dakota Davidson, Neasa Dooley and Ellie Hampson all struck truly within a matter of minutes, the Lions stealing the lead on the eve of half time.
Ally Anderson and Belle Dawes recorded nine disposals each, generating increased scoring chances.
All three goals came from free kicks – with Melbourne’s panic resulting in undisciplined moments.
A TON OF FUN
Melbourne came to play early, but captain Hore converting her 100th AFLW goal galvanised her already steely side.
She becomes the second AFLW player to achieve this feat, after Gemma Houghton broke the ton for the first time last week.
On the brink of her fourth All-Australian blazer, it’s yet another welcome reward for Melbourne’s leader.
BREAKING THE CURSE?
This weekend, every away side at IKON Park have both lost, and suffered from banner woes.
The Lions’ banner split in the wind – but the curse didn’t worry them as they find themselves in another Preliminary Final.
HORE OR NOTHING FOR DEES?
Cathy Svarc went to Hore after a 10 disposal first term, and it paved the way for Brisbane’s territory domination.
With Svarc benched midway through the third term, Hore took her moment to set up Maggie Mahony’s first AFLW goal, breaking a run of four major scores for Brisbane.
If it wasn’t already documented enough, it proved just how pivotal she is to the Demons’ success.
Melbourne will need to find other ways to impact if it wants to keep its chances alive next week, with Hore (8 clearances) responsible for almost half of its clearances.