The Brisbane Lions are in the box seat for the AFL Women’s premiership, becoming the last team in the competition left undefeated with a 3-point win over the Adelaide Crows.
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Final score
Adelaide Crows 4.6 (30)
Brisbane Lions 5.3 (33)
Five rounds into the inaugural AFLW season and the competition’s first genuine blockbuster has arrived, with Adelaide tonight hosting Brisbane in a battle of the only two unbeaten teams. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:10pm AEDT.
With two rounds left and the top two progressing to the Grand Final, tonight’s match at Norwood has a lot more than perfect records at stake.
The winner will not only secure a spot and possibly home ground advantage for the decider, but will gain a psychological advantage over their likely opponents.
If this all seems a bit presumptuous, a quick look at the competition ladder reveals just how much is at stake.
Both the Crows and Lions are on 16 points, four points and close 100 percentage points clear of the Blues and Demons on 12. Barring a complete collapse in form, tonight will almost certainly be a Grand Final preview – or should be.
One of the defining features of this AFLW season has been its unpredictability.
Nothing demonstrates this better than the Crows and Lions’ collective dominance.
Neither was considered a serious contender in pre-season, yet have swept all before them with swashbuckling, attacking football.
In contrast, more fancied teams like the Bulldogs and Collingwood have floundered.
Making a tip for this clash is a similarly fraught.
The Crow’s, driven by WNBA star Erin Phillips and key forward Sarah Perkins, are coming off a comfortable win against Fremantle in Perth. They welcome back key defender Anna Hatchford from injury at the expense of Tayla Thorn.
The Lions were again inspired by midfielder Emma Zielke and dynamic forward/ruck Sabrina Frederik-Taub in their 34 point home win over GWS. Like Adelaide, they welcome back an important defender from injury, with Tayla Randall replacing Katie Deegan.
Adelaide shades Brisbane by a just few percentage points on the ladder and I’m expecting them to do the same tonight by similarly small margin.
Tip: Crows by 4 points.
Perry Bridge
Guest
What was Carlton mens excuse this weekend (lack of scoring).
Perry Bridge
Guest
A top of the table clash that didn't disappoint. The bar keeps raising.
Maggie
Guest
That was a seriously good game of footy!
XI
Roar Guru
Of course the women's team is doing better than the men; it's the lionesses that do all the hunting
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
The Lions have been starved of success in recent times, but they're women's have come and in and shown them how it's done. They're still yet to loose a game in their debut season and held of the previously unbeaten Adelaide away from home and in front of a rabid Crows crowd. Seriously impressive. Amazingly there was just one point scored for the final 10 minutes, yet it was the most intense, brutal, gripping footy you'd wish to see and with any chance we'll see it again in the Grand Final which Brisbane will now host. After tonight, lets hope it's again, against the Crows. Thanks for joining us.
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Brisbane Win! BL 5.3.33 Adel 4.6.30 Phew! I need i'm exhausted.
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
3 point game with just over 3 mins left as Crows get a behind. They're playing for sheep stations! BL 33 Adel 30
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
The lack of scoring almost makes the women's game more intense when it's as close as this. I'm gonna need a bex and lie down after the siren.
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Under 5 mins and still a 4 point margin Brisbane's way 33-29.
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Gibson for Adelaide is almost decapitated in a high tackle and somehow it's a ball up. No one can claim the Crows are getting home town decisions.
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
This is blue chip stuff. As hard and as intense as anything the opposite sex dish up. BL 5.3.33 Adel 4.5.29
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Wow. The Supercar shindig is on this weekend too!
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Gone nearly 5 mins in the last. BL 5.3.33 Adel 4.5.29
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Aaaannd it's speed merchant Kate McCarthy who kicks her second and the Lions are back in front! The first goal they've at that end as well. BL 5.2.32 Adel 4.4.28
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Final Quarter underway. Grand Final spot with a bonus of hosting rights, up for grabs.
Maggie
Guest
Attendance 12,108.
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Now Zielke replies for the Lions right on 3QT and we turn for home with just two points separating the top two teams in the comp. You know those big games that don't live up to the hype? This aint one of them. 3QT Adel 4.4.28 BL 4.2.26
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
GOAL! Abbey Holmes pushed in the back and goals from the resulting free kick. Margin back to 8 pts, same as it was at HT. Crows in box seat. Adel 4.4.28 BL 3.2.20
XI
Roar Guru
Geez it's a shame these umpires aren't as good as the match is
Cade Lucas
Roar Pro
Make that two goals to Brisbane and one to the Crows