Third time was the charm for the Brisbane Lions, defeating Adelaide win the AFLW Grand Final.
They played and lost in the first two league deciders before expansion ripped the club apart.
Rebuilt, they proved they were the best team of season 2021.
The difference in the game ultimately was a combination of the Lions’ impassable backline and a forward line that took every half chance.
Brisbane had six goals straight to their name at three quarter time, most coming from incredible moments. They didn’t kick a goal in the last quarter, but ultimately they parked the bus to ensure their result.
The final term was all Adelaide, controlling territory and bombarding the Lions with repeat inside 50s, but they couldn’t put it on the scoreboard.
Kate Lutkins was the rock in defence and the key player all day, while Courtney Hodder kicked a miraculous goal early to set the tone.
Both team captains went down with serious injuries in the third quarter, Angela Foley hurting her knee in an eerily similar position to Erin Phillips on the same stage in 2019.
Brisbane skipper Emma Zielke was also in tears on the bench, ruled out for the match.
Phillips, who was the dominant player of Adelaide’s previous two Grand Final victories, was mostly quiet across the afternoon.
For the Lions as a whole, this win was well-earned revenge for the inaugural decider, but it came from a completely different group wearing the same jumper.
And this Brisbane group isn’t going anywhere.
FULL SCORE
Adelaide: 1.0, 2.1, 2.2, 3.2. (20)
Brisbane: 1.0, 3.0, 6.0, 6.2. (38)
GOALS
Adelaide: E. Jones, D. Ponter, S. Thompson
Brisbane: C. Hodder 2, J. Wuetschner 2, L. Arnell, I. Dawes
BEST
Adelaide: S. Thompson, A. Hatchard, M. Rajcic, D. Ponter, E. Marinoff
Brisbane: K. Lutkins, E. Bates, J. Wuetschner, A. Anderson, C. Hodder, B. Koenen, C. Svarc
INJURIES
Adelaide: A. Foley
Brisbane: E. Zielke
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