THE BRISBANE LIONS have stamped their ticket into a fifth preliminary final, holding off a resurgent Hawthorn outfit by six points in a fiery clash on Sunday afternoon.
The Hawks kept it close to be only a goal down with less than a minute on the clock, with the prospects for the Lions rather tenuous as the game clock ticked down.
But the Lions unit showed throughout the mettle they had as defending champions, while weapons like Dakota Davidson came away with double and Taylor Smith added a major to her season haul, although she was closely marked by Emily Everist throughout.
Having finished the season in second place, Hawthorn played stifling defense to trouble the Lions forwards .
Ruby Svarc (10 disposals, five tackles) was a major difference for the Lions, creating two goals either side of the halftime break.
Her sister Cathy finished with two goals, 14 disposals and five tackles in a huge individual contribution.
After copping abuse from a member of the crowd last week in the win against St Kilda, Lions star Davidson hit the field with something to prove.
She kicked the opening goal of the game off the back of her speed and athleticism and took the ground ball uncontested into open space.
She would kick her second goal in the opening minutes of the final quarter showing her class as Brisbane’s all-time leading goal-scorer and the leader of this pack who remain on path to defend the title.
Tireless 24-year-old defender Jennifer Dunne played the role of metre-eater, covering the field with 431m gained and playing every minute of the game.
Finishing the regular season third and with Sunday’s win, Brisbane has earned the week off before hosting a home preliminary final in front of the faithful at Brighton Homes Arena in two weeks’ time.
