Lions’ dream weekend as rivals’ unbeaten run ended in dramatic fashion — Sunday AFLW wrap

The Brisbane premiership party will roll on for a little while yet after the Lions kicked the last two goals of the game to clinch a two-point win over Adelaide on Sunday.

On a weekend where Brisbane’s AFL side secured its fourth premiership, the club’s AFLW outfit took a significant step towards their next with a win over the previously undefeated Crows.

Late goals to Lions twin towers Dakota Davidson and Taylor Smith saw Brisbane sew up its fifth straight victory against the Crows in a rivalry that’s already spanned 11 thrilling chapters. It came after the Crows kicked the opening two goals of the final quarter to take a nine-point lead.

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It’s the fifth game between the two perennial contenders that’s been decided by less than a kick. And the lead changed hands four times before the Lions kicked ahead when it mattered.

Crow Sarah Goodwin had the chance to put Adelaide ahead late but her kick failed to make the distance. Then Smith, at the opposite end, laid a game-saving tackle on Hannah Munyard and was able to milk the remaining seconds on the clock.

The late surge was even more remarkable when you consider that it was Brisbane’s fourth game in 16 days and the Lions also had to contend with a length trip to Perth during its compressed fixture block.

The contest was played at a frenetic pace with neither side willing to give an inch. But it was impossible to deny the infectious momentum of an AFL premiership as a boisterous maroon crowd packed Brighton Homes Arena.

Those who stuck around welcomed Brisbane’s victorious AFL team home after they touched down during the second half. Lions AFLW players decided to watch the grand final separately to preserve energy for the top-of-the-table clash.

Early blow

It’s a bad week to be a shoulder in Brisbane.

After the Lions lost ruckman Oscar McInerney to a dislocated shoulder in their preliminary final win over Geelong, Brisbane’s AFLW team was dealt a similarly significant blow when Orla O’Dwyer succumbed to the same fate.

It was a bitter end to an eventful first quarter for the Irishwoman.

O’Dwyer kicked the opener for Brisbane just three minutes into the game but mere seconds later, she came from the field clutching her shoulder after it popped out in a Teah Charlton tackle.

O’Dwyer underwent surgery on her right shoulder back in 2022 but heavy strapping has been a constant even before she went under the knife. But unfortunately this latest injury is to her left shoulder.

Ruby Svarc slid into the wing role after O’Dwyer was ruled out, finishing with a career-high 19 disposals. While Brisbane key forward Taylor Smith paid credit to McInerney with an ‘O’ inspired celebration in the third quarter.

Air Anne

If only she held on!

Anne Hatchard has been an excitement machine across the course of her AFLW career. But the Adelaide star very nearly took one of the best marks we’ve seen in the history of the competition against the Lions.

With not long left to play in the third quarter, Hatchard soared onto the shoulders of Caitlin Gould, who’d already kicked two goals that term. It’s no mean feat given that Gould stands at 182cm.

Hatchard couldn’t quite complete the mark. And to rub salt into the wound, Brisbane key pillars Smith and Dakota Davidson came up late with two massive contested marks that resulted in goals.

Davidson got the Lions back within a kick after beating five Crows in the goal square, a clunk that needs to be seen to be believed.

Then Smith put Brisbane back in front after winning a one-on-one marking contest against Zoe Prowse. It’s the fourth consecutive game that Smith has kicked multiple goals.

Captain Breanna Koenen put the finishing touches on a season-defining victory with an intercept mark deep in defence as the Crows had one last roll of the dice.

It was an aerial masterclass from both sides, with the Crows and Lions combining for 21 contested marks between them.

KANGAROOS STAY UNBEATEN

North Melbourne has ended Richmond’s win streak to firm top spot and maintain its unbeaten run in 2024.

After trailing 7-0 early, the Roos allowed the Tigers just eight more points in the game to power the 12-point win in wet and slippery conditions at UTAS Stadium on Sunday.

Roos star Jasmine Garner was best afield with 24 touches, 12 tackles and the match-winning goal in the fourth term to put her side 11 points ahead with five minutes left.

The Tigers, without in-form skipper Katie Brennan, had their four-game win streak crushed in the 3.9 (27) to 2.3 (15) result.

Roos jump

The Roos dominated possession and inside 50s in the third term to make it a nine-point lead at three-quarter time after trailing by a point at the main break.

Darren Crocker’s side won disposals (63-49) and forward-50 entries (13-4) in the term with Jasmine Garner leading the way with eight possessions in the period.

Roos forward Bella Eddey got the Roos their first lead of the game eight minutes into the quarter before scoring a stunning drop punt on the run from a difficult angle soon after to make it a 17-9 advantage.

Don’t argue with Conti

Has Monique Conti taken the ‘Don’t argue’ mantle from the retired Dustin Martin at Punt Road Oval.

The reigning AFLW best and fairest winner put on two massive fend offs in the third term to help get her side going against a rampant Roos.

The midfielder’s best fend came midway through the third term on North’s Niamh Martin which led to an inside 50.

Conti was everywhere in the game, finishing with eight tackles and a game-high 32 disposals including 19 in the first half.

Tricky conditions

There were puddles visible on the wing in front of the benches and many other parts on the ground as rain poured pre-game and for early parts to make it a wet and slippery affair.

Despite the conditions, the players didn’t disappoint in providing an entertaining contest as the Tigers led for much of the first half before the Roos powered ahead.

Veteran injured

Roos captain Emma Kearney was subbed out of the game after a hamstring injury in the opening nine minutes.

The six time All-Australian had just one handball before exiting the contest in a big blow for the Roos. It was the side’s third game in 10 days.

The 35-year-old defender has led the Roos as skipper for the past six seasons.

Resilient Roos

The Roos were smashed in the territory battle early in the second term but they managed to control the damage and turn the game around to trail by a point at half time.

After conceding six of the first seven inside 50s of the second term, the Roos held the Tigers to a point and then got the next six forward-50 entries to power an Alice O’Loughlin goal to level the score line.

It proved to be a major turning point in the game.

EAGLES’ BEST SEASON EVER CONTINUES

West Coast has kicked its biggest-ever score to record a confidence-boosting four-goal win over GWS as a youngster had a day out in front of goal.

Daisy Pearce’s Eagles were tip-top away from home, flying out to a game high 39-point lead before settling for a 24-point triumph with a record 10.4 (64) to 6.4 (40) win at Henson Park on Sunday.

The total breaks the Eagles’ previous highest score of 53 set against Geelong in 2021.

In another lift for the seventh-placed Eagles, they rise to a comfier position in the top eight with some more breathing room between them and the bottom half of the table. The Eagles are now 4-2 for the season.

Meanwhile, the Giants drop to 1-1-3 and sit two and a half wins outside the top eight with six games to go in their season.

In another blow, Giants small forward Aliesha Newman went off in the third term with left knee soreness.

Lewis stunner

Named to play in the centre but Isabella Lewis found herself charging forward to kick a thrilling goal on the run for the Eagles.

The opening goal of the game inside the first two minutes was supported by a smart shepherd on the goal line from Belinda Smith.

Lewis finished the game with a game-high 23 disposals alongside Giants’ Alyce Parker.

Giant fail

The Giants were dominating play with nine inside 50s in a row in the second term but they couldn’t hit the scoreboard, and to make matters worse, the Eagles scored when they got their first forward-50 entry back.

It was a brilliant Octavia Di Donato snap 30m out from the pocket to give the Eagles a 21-point advantage at half time.

Roberts goes bang

Eagles youngster Ella Roberts continued her fine season with a career-best three goals to power her side over the line.

The 19-year-old kicked a goal in each of the first three quarters and had 20 disposals, nine tackles and four clearances.

Her third major came from a free kick in a marking contest where Roberts went back and kicked a 30m set shot to put the Eagles 27 points ahead early in the third term.

Giants forward Tarni Evans also had a career-best three-goal performance.

Giants fightback

The Eagles continued to power ahead after halftime to gain a game-high 39-point lead midway through the term.

It could have been curtains for the Giants and a give-up attitude but to their credit, they scored two goals in quick succession to cut the margin to 27 points and stay alive.

It was Alicia Eva who got the first of the term for the Giants with a toe poke before Tarni Evans displayed great athleticism to make it another.

The Giants also outscored the Eagles in the final term and had the margin back to three goals, but it was too little, too late.

Bradfield debut

Giants midfielder Annise Bradfield picked up 10 disposals, five tackles and four inside 50s in her club debut and first game in almost two years.

The former Gold Coast footballer moved to the Giants last season but was forced to watch from the sidelines in her opening campaign with the club after requiring season-ending surgery on a Lisfranc injury suffered during the pre-season.

After 700 days, the 21-year-old finally returned to the side and successfully played out the game.

POWER PUMP BLUES

A Gemma Houghton double propelled Port Adelaide to a convincing 35-point win against Carlton at Alberton Oval, the Power booting its highest score of the season to snap a three-game losing run in fine style.

Lauren Arnell’s side led by nine points early in the final term on Sunday, but slammed through the last four goals of the contest to score a first home win of the season and improve to a 2-4 record.

“We asked a fair bit of our players to open up our offence during the week,” Arnell said.

“We played two really good sides in North and Richmond, with quick turnarounds too, so to really open up our offence like that and get after it … I’m really pleased and proud of the girls.

“It’s just more evidence that the more aggressive we are offensively the better team we are.”

It was the first time the Blues had played at Alberton Oval, but they were right at home early before the Power ran over the top of them late.

Abbey Dowrick was sensational for Port, leading the home side’s possession count, while Mimi Hill and Keeley Sherar starred for the Blues, who fell to a 2-4 record with their third loss in a row.

Drought broken

Darcy Vescio took a seven-game goalless run into the clash, but the Blues’ all-time leading goalkicker ended that uncharacteristic barren streak in emphatic fashion early in the first quarter.

Vescio’s fierce tone-setting tackle on Ebony O’Dea forced a holding the ball decision, with the sharpshooter making no mistake with the set shot 25m out straight in front.

They should have had another late in the opening term, but shaved the post from another set shot that was closer to goal.

Vescio’s ominous start was indicative of the energy and work rate of the visitors, who led by two points at the first break and dominated possession in the first half despite the absence of ball magnet Abbie McKay with an adductor injury.

With Sherar and Hill leading the way, Carlton led a lopsided disposal count 150-100 at the half.

Houghton’s highlights

Despite having so much more of the ball, Carlton trailed by two goals at halftime thanks to a Houghton second-quarter double.

The hard-working forward pulled down four marks inside forward 50 in the first half, including a strong contested mark pitted against Harriet Cordner.

With her opponent slow to regain her feet, Houghton seized the moment, bounding away and slotting a team-lifting goal.

Her second came from another strong mark inside 50, the star forward making no mistake with her set shot.

Final flourish

Late in the third quarter Carlton still hadn’t kicked a goal since Vescio’s opener two minutes into the game, but Breann Moody added a much-needed second with just under three minutes remaining in the third term.

However, Sachi Syme brilliantly roved a deft Matilda Scholz tap to restore a 15-point lead to the home side heading into the last quarter.

The ability to run out the game was key, with both teams having endured a heavy schedule during the compressed part of their respective seasons.

Port was playing its third game in 10 days and the Blues their third in 11, with the Power also cramming in two trips to Melbourne in a congested fixture.

Jess Dal Pos sliced the margin to nine points early in the last quarter, but it was the Power who finished strongly to notch a second win of the season.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t capitalise on the opportunities we had early in the game,” Carlton coach Mathew Buck said.

“Coming off a couple of short breaks they came over the top of us pretty hard at the end of the game.

“It’s a disappointing one … our basic fundamentals were a little bit off, which certainly didn’t help us to capitalise on those chains of play that we had early.”