The Brisbane Lions are via to their fifth AFLW grand last after surviving a large scare from Geelong to pip the Cats in a four-point thriller.
Key factors:
- Brisbane will play North Melbourne or Adelaide within the AFLW grand last
- A final-quarter objective from defender Shannon Campbell clinched victory for the Lions over Geelong
- Star Brisbane ahead Dakota Davidson injured her knee within the third quarter
Heavy favourites to advance, the Lions had every little thing thrown at them in Saturday evening’s preliminary last by the plucky Cats at their Springfield headquarters.
However after shedding the lead 5 minutes into the ultimate time period, the Lions reclaimed their benefit when star defender Shannon Campbell moved ahead and kicked what could be the successful objective with six minutes remaining.
The Lions held on grimly within the dying levels to prevail 6.2 (38) to win 5.4 (34) establishing a gathering with the winner of Sunday’s conflict between North Melbourne and Adelaide within the grand last.
They may get a chance to redeem themselves after shedding final 12 months’s decider to Melbourne in the course of the Lions’ opening of their new Michael Voss Oval base.
The win appears to have come at a value for the Lions, nonetheless, with the important thing ahead Dakota Davidson showing to undergo a suspected critical left knee harm within the dying levels of the third time period.
Davidson, who booted two of the Lions’ objectives, was inconsolable on the bench and can endure scans to find out the injury.
The Lions shall be pressured to search out alternate avenues to objective with out Davidson if they’re to win their second AFLW premiership, and first since 2021.
Courtney Hodder and Charlotte Mullins kicked early objectives, whereas Orla O’Dwyer additionally slotted an necessary main for the Lions.
Lions laborious nut Isabel Dawes put in a brilliant third quarter to complete because the main possession winner on the bottom with 22 touches.
The outcome ends a courageous run for Geelong, who fell agonisingly wanting reaching the membership’s first AFLW decider after upsetting reigning premiers Melbourne in final week’s semi-final.
The Cats have by no means received an AFLW post-season match till beating Essendon in an elimination last a fortnight in the past.
Younger midfield star Georgie Prespakis was usually necessary, as was Nina Morrison, to offer the Cats an unlimited likelihood of inflicting a boilover.
AAP
