Brisbane Lions have beaten Melbourne in AFLW finals for the first time, securing a spot in the preliminary final with a gutsy 13-point victory at Princes Park.
The Lions struggled early, but found their feet and got on top at the clearances to run over the top of the Demons, 9.2 (56) to 6.7 (43).
The Demons had a big personnel blow when they lost key tall forward Eden Zanker in the first half.
Zanker, who had kicked 22 goals for the season including four last week against Geelong, was ruled out of the game after she was involved in a collision with a Lions player.
The Demons struggled to score, with singles to Kate Hore and Tayla Harris the only chances converted in the first half.
A three-goal to one third quarter gave the visitors the advantage, with a key moment coming in the dying seconds of the term.
With both sides looking to avoid conceding further scores, Brisbane broke down the right, and Dakota Davidson centred the ball, which came clear to Ellie Hampson, who snapped truly just before the siren.
Brisbane took a 14-point lead into the final change.
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Ryleigh Wotherspoon kicked a vital goal for Melbourne to keep their hopes alive, but back-to-back majors from Ally Anderson and Lily Postlethwaite saw the Lions kick clear on the way to a finals victory.
The Lions now get the week off and will play in a preliminary final.
Melbourne will go into an elimination semi-final against the winner of today’s second game between Adelaide and St Kilda.Â