Brisbane has won its sixth game in a row, defeating Melbourne by nine points to keep its top two chances alive.
After sitting at 1.7 at half-time, five of Brisbane’s next seven scores were goals in the 6.9 (45) to 5.6 (36) victory.
It marks the Lions’ first victory against a team currently in the top eight, and their third win in a row against Melbourne since their 2022 Grand Final defeat.
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The much-anticipated match up began in frenetic fashion, emulating a final with marks few and far between and the tackle count high.
A combined 20 tackles were laid within the first eight minutes.
Craig Starcevich’s side were wasteful, unable to pile on any scoreboard pressure with four behinds and no majors to this point.
As both sides settled into the contest, Melbourne eventually wrestled back field position and after failing to score at all in the first term, struck the first blow through Tayla Harris.
It was the beginning of a four-goal second term for the Demons.
Brisbane’s only first-half goal came off the back of an impressive individual effort from Shannon Campbell.
She left Eden Zanker alone in the goalsquare in order to impact at the drop of the ball, and it paid off as the Lions went on to score off the turnover.
Melbourne’s Tahlia Gillard had a moment of her own in the second term, with a rundown tackle on Eleanor Hartill impacting just enough to prevent an all-but-certain goal.
And while Sophie Conway’s third-quarter banana was as impressive as they come, it was Taylor Smith’s ability to get the ball to ground – and follow up with a repeat effort – that gave her the chance to strike.
Brisbane’s return serve didn’t come until the third term, with Charlotte Mullins scoring from a free kick, but this swung the momentum to see them record four of the next five goals.
The Lions controlled the contest from this point forward as they increased their potency with ball in hand.
In a monster individual effort, Sophie Conway kicked two quick goals from five disposals in the third term.
It saw Brisbane wrestle back momentum, taking a three-point lead into the final change.
An impressive last-quarter goal to Ruby Svarc all but sealed the deal for Brisbane.
Belle Dawes (23 disposals, 12 tackles) was instrumental in the victory, whilst the returning Courtney Hodder (12 tackles) played a major role in her side’s insurmountable pressure factor.
Kate Hore was unable to eclipse the long-awaited 100 goal milestone, but was Melbourne’s best with 26 disposals, four clearances and a goal.
It’s not quite a danger sign for Mick Stinear, but Melbourne will now enter the Finals with only two wins against the current top eight, with victories over St Kilda and West Coast.
HAWKS KEEP ROLLING AS DONS SLUMP CONTINUES
Hawthorn has taken home a 30-point victory at Windy Hill, marking the first over Essendon in its AFLW history.
The Bombers are now staring down the barrel of nine straight losses to end the season, while the 7.14 (56) to 3.8 (26) victory marks Hawthorn’s ninth for the season.
Essendon controlled the contest early but was unable to capitalise on the aerial dominance it found in the absence of key Hawk Lucy Wales.
Hawthorn was fast and efficient with ball in hand whilst Essendon succumbed to over possession – often taking too long to complete its build up.
The Hawks are known for their ability to move the ball quickly, and this exposed Essendon’s slack defence of leading lanes – an issue which was evident in last week’s loss to Brisbane.
Hawthorn Irish star Aine McDonagh became the equal-quickest AFLW player to eclipse the 50-goal milestone following one more major in the final term, hitting the milestone from only 41 AFLW games.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Natalie Wood’s Bombers, who showed moments of brilliance when they did take the game on, but their inability to score has become a worrying trend.
Star Bomber Bonnie Toogood was strong with 18 disposals, but missed key chances to convert, finishing with four behinds.
One snap is never enough for McDonagh, so it was no surprise when she slotted her second of the day – an impressive snap from the pocket in the second term.
The star forward’s day wasn’t done though, with one more snap in the fourth quarter becoming her third for the day and 50th AFLW goal.
Nat Exon suited up for her first game in the brown and gold, making her only the eighth player to feature for four AFLW clubs.
She was unable to convert a goal to top off her Hawthorn debut, but impacted with four clearances from nine disposals.
Laura Stone stunned with a long-range goal from inside the centre square – but it was no cause for celebration.
Not for her, anyway – whilst the crowd, and her teammates cheered, she was seen sporting nothing more than a straight face as she jogged away.
SWANS STILL FINALS DREAMING
A three-goal haul from the returning Rebecca Privitelli has inspired the Swans to a crucial victory over West Coast at Henson Park to keep their finals hopes alive.
Sydney needed to win each of their final two matches to ensure they finished in the top eight, but things got off to the worst possible start when livewire forward Cynthia Hamilton suffered an ankle injury in the early exchanges and was immediately ruled out of the game.
The rest of the Swans forward line lifted to pick up the slack, with Privitelli, who was playing her first AFLW match in a month, kicking the side’s first major of the day. Holly Cooper continued her breakout year with a goal of her own to help the hosts capitalise on their momentum.
West Coast has been one of the big improvers in 2025, with the Daisy Pearce-coached side hunting their own finals berth. And it was clear they wouldn’t die wondering, with enormous pressure around the ball leading to their first goal of the day through Kayla Dalgleish.
For large patches of the first half, the Eagles were dominating proceedings on the back of their ferocity around the contest. But inaccuracy in front of goal would come back to haunt them, with six straight behinds across the second and third terms squandering any chance of putting some scoreboard pressure on the Swans.
Sydney responded as they have all year with some quick goals on the counter, kicking three unanswered majors in the third term to extend their lead to 23 points. Privitelli kicked truly for her third of the day, while a stunning solo effort from Cooper gave the hosts all the momentum.
West Coast threatened to come back in the final term, but some solid, resolute defence from the Swans, in particular the likes of Alice Mitchell and Ash Van Loon, saw the Swans hold on for a 17-point victory.
Both sides on Saturday afternoon desperately needed a win for their finals aspirations, but with their season potentially on the line, the Eagles were dealt a hammer blow just before the first bounce with Ella Roberts ruled out through a hamstring concern.
The 20-year-old has already cemented her status as one of the most exciting players in the competition, and with 20+ disposals in all but one of the Eagles’ matches this year, has been the heartbeat of their midfield.
While Isabella Lewis and Charlotte Thomas both saw plenty of the ball, the Swans were able to gain an advantage around the stoppages, particularly with centre clearances.
The Eagles will be hoping Roberts will be fit to return for their must-win match against Carlton next week, with a loss potentially ending their season.
— NCA NewsWire
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