IT’S A rematch for the ages! The defending premiers Brisbane Lions will face the team they beat in the 2023 AFLW Grand Final, the North Melbourne Kangaroos, after outlasting a strong Adelaide Crows by 18 points at Brighton Homes Arena in Springfield on Saturday night.
Trailing by 13 points late in the first half, it gave the Lions faithful cause for concern, but they knew what this outfit was capable of as they kicked four unanswered goals in the third quarter.
The sixth consecutive win over the Crows places the Lions in their sixth decider as they prepare to head into enemy territory at Ikon Park next Saturday night.
It was a true united team effort with all weapons firing together to earn their way into a title defence.
Orla O’Dwyer on the wing was the metre-eater of the game as she covered 604m gained, and with Ally Anderson she was tied for disposals (24) getting the ball where it needed to be to gain advantage.
Jade Ellenger gave the Lions their first lead of the game – after a costly Crows turnover, Cathy Svarc took her own major as reward for her hard work before the heart of the team in Dakota Davidson soccered one off the ground to have the home fans roaring.
Brisbane had not led at any stage of the first half and even following an Ellie Hampson goal to open the third quarter, still trailed by three points.
Workhorse Sophie Conway stood up to take the under-pressure kick into the open to Ellenger, who took the opportunity to give the Lions their lead for the first time in the game.
Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich proved his quality and class, partnered with his knowledge of the weapons he had at hand, moving pieces around to give the champions greater chance of capitalising.
After the game, Starcevich said he was relieved to win and proud to qualify for another Grand Final following the slow start.
“We were trying to play a little too precise in the first half, but once we got into full-on surge mentality and got the ball forward whatever way we could, we started to look dangerous,” he said.
“They’re a hard team to handle. In the clinches, all their decisions coming out of contest where they looked up and made a decision in a split second were really, really good.”
In the regular season, the Lions and Roos are split, and in last year’s Grand Final between the two sides, the Lions won 44-27 with Ellie Hampson and Dakota Davidson both with doubles.
The AFLW Grand Final will kick off on Saturday at 6.45pm at IKON Park in Melbourne.
