BRISBANE’S AFLW season has ended in heartbreak after the Lions squandered a commanding half-time lead to suffer a dramatic five-point defeat to Carlton at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday afternoon.
In a Halloween showdown that delivered more tricks than treats for the home side, the Blues overturned a 22-point deficit to claim a remarkable 40-35 victory.
The Lions appeared destined to finish their home-and-away campaign on a high after dominating the opening half, kicking four consecutive goals in the second quarter to establish a 29-7 advantage at the main break.
However, Carlton had other ideas, producing a stunning second-half transformation to kick five of the final six goals and silence the Springfield Central crowd.
Alexandra Anderson was outstanding for the Lions despite the defeat, collecting 27 disposals, seven tackles and four clearances.
Sophie Conway was another standout, finishing with 19 disposals, seven marks, five tackles and a goal, while O’Dwyer gathered 19 possessions and gained 368 metres to complement her crucial final-quarter major.
Natalie Grider produced a superb defensive performance, collecting 25 disposals and eight marks, while also recording 11 intercept possessions, including five intercept marks, to repeatedly thwart Carlton’s attacking advances.
Mullins was another important contributor with 24 disposals and a goal, although her afternoon ended prematurely when she was forced from the field with an injury late in the final quarter.
The Lions also endured injury concerns involving captain Breanna Koenen, Isabel Dawes and Dakota Davidson during the second half, adding to an increasingly difficult afternoon.
The victory guaranteed the Blues a home final and for Brisbane, it was a bitter conclusion to the regular season, which will see the local side not appear in the Grand Final for the first time since 2019.
