Brisbane pipped Adelaide by three points on Saturday night to remain the only undefeated side in the AFL women’s league.
The Lions came from behind at three quarter-time to notch a tense 5.3 (33) to 4.6 (30) at Norwood Oval in Adelaide.
Brisbane trailed by two points at the last change but Lion Kate McCarthy kicked the decisive – and only – goal in a tense last term with a hopeful 40m roost that bounced through.
McCarthy kicked two majors, as did Adelaide’s Sarah Perkins, in the top-of-the-table fixture attended by 12,108 spectators.
In a fierce clash, Brisbane’s Brittany Gibson was placed on report for a head-high crunch on Adelaide skipper Chelsea Randall in the first quarter.
Randall had her head over a ground ball when Gibson collected her with a bump, flooring the Crow.
The Lions potted the opening goal when Emily Bates was released into space from a stoppage and converted on the run in the third minute.
But the Crows answered some 10 minutes later when Sally Riley ran into an open goal after a clever kick from Erin Phillips.
Adelaide pressed ahead in the second stanza when spearhead Perkins marked and goaled – the home side dominated the quarter but failed to fully capitalise, 1.3 to the Lions’ solitary point to hold an eight-point halftime buffer.
Within five minutes of the third term, Adelaide’s lead disappeared as the visitors scored a pair of rapid goals – the second a stunning running goal by Kate Lutkins, who gained possession on the 50m line, dashed away and bounced before finishing.
Adelaide’s Perkins then gave her side the lead before a controversial goal to teammate Abbey Holmes – who was given a 50m penalty after a scuffle between players – edged the Crows eight points in front.
But the Lions hit back on the three-quarter time siren when Emma Zielke threaded a set shot to reduce the margin to two points.
And after McCarthy’s speculative goal in the second minute of the last term for the Lions, the visitors held on for a gallant victory.
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