From being the bridesmaids in Season 7 of the AFLW, the Brisbane Lions have bounced back in style to claim just their second AFLW Premiership in their club’s history.
Brisbane, who came into this match after defeating Adelaide in the Qualifying Final and Geelong in the Preliminary Final, had only had one premiership to their name after four grand final appearances.
And despite their success over the last couple of years, today’s AFLW Grand Final was only North Melbourne’s first in their club’s history.
It was a disastrous start for the Kangaroos’ inaugural AFLW Grand Final with Jenna Bruton being ruled out with a foot injury early in the first quarter. But despite the challenge, North Melbourne were able to hold strong and take a six-point lead into quarter time thanks to Jasmine Garner’s first major of the afternoon.
For both sides, momentum was difficult to obtain in the first half as they could only be separated by a point for the majority of the second quarter. But thanks to Charlotte Mullins and Ellie Hampson, Brisbane was able to stay in reach of a Kangaroos side which looked to have gotten on top.
Yet nobody for the Lions were able to keep a handle on the superstar in Garner (24 disposals and 2 goals) who slotted her second major of the day at the eight-minute mark of the quarter which seemed enough to give the Kangaroos a one-point lead at half time.
After trailing 19-14 for inside 50’s and 21-8 for clearances in the first half, Brisbane shot out of the blocks early in the third quarter and gained the lead for the first time in the game after Orla O’Dwyer kicked her first goal for the Grand Final.
However, the Lions couldn’t maintain that lead and thanks to two quick goals from Katie Shierlaw and Alice O’Loughlin, North Melbourne were able to take a seven-point lead into the final term.
Similarly, to the third quarter, Brisbane began the final term with complete dominance. And thanks to super-star forward Dakota Davidson snagging two majors of her own, the Lions were able to regain a five-point lead with only eight minutes remaining.
Like they had done all year, North Melbourne fought hard to wrestle momentum back and find a way to get back in front.
But the experience of the Lions ultimately proved to be the difference and with the help of an Ellie Hampson (2 goals) and the best on ground skipper Breanna Koenen (19 disposals and one goal) sealer, the Lions were crowned premiers of the AFLW for Season 8 after claiming a 44 to 27 victory.