THE BRISBANE LIONS delivered a demolition job on the Collingwood Magpies on Friday night, serving up a 52-point defeat at Brighton Homes Arena. The visiting Collingwood outfit had the stronger start, scoring the first three shots, including a goal from Alana Porter, but it was the Lions who roared into the game, taking reign of their home arena. Leading by five points at quarter-time, the Lions kicked four unanswered goals before the half-time siren to strengthen their lead.
Sophie Conway led from the front, kicking three goals for the game, with two in the first half along with one behind, and 16 disposals in a stellar performance that saw the two-time premiership player cover 422m gained. Taylor Smith continued to strut her stuff with her own hat-trick of goals in another star performance in which she also had two behinds and nine disposals. Ally Anderson backed up last week’s record-breaking 43-disposal performance with another 21. Nat Grider and Bre Koenen were strong in defence, and Jade Ellenger ran strongly on the wing, gunning out wide.
Following the round one loss to 2023 AFLW Grand Final runners-up North Melbourne, the title defending Lions have started to put the pieces together to build improvement, with the squad talent being showcased for a second week. Brisbane Lions AFLW Academy graduate Sophie Peters made her debut in the win, seeing 70% of game time on the field, with seven kicks and four marks for her effort. Sunshine Coast product Peters was selected with Pick 21 in the 2023 AFLW Draft after playing for Maroochydore in the QAFLW. The utility experienced an impressive draft year which included selection in the National (AFLW) Academy team, the Queensland state side, and being a regular contributor in the Lions Academy side.
Peters said she was excited to be running out alongside teammates who were coaches of hers only 12 months ago. The win was their second for the season from three games played as they prepare to host the Western Bulldogs on Wednesday night, their third game in nine days. This will be the first game under lights at the Springfield stadium for the season, with kick-off at 7:15 PM.
