The Brisbane Lions have booked their place in the first ever AFLW Grand Final with a hard fought 7 point victory over a gutsy Western Bulldogs team.
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Final score
Brisbane Lions 2.11 (23)
Western Bulldogs 2.4 (16)
The Western Bulldogs travel north to take on the undefeated Brisbane Lions on Saturday morning at the South Pine Sports Complex. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 11:05am AEDT.
Round 6 of the inaugural AFL Women’s season see the Bulldogs needing to upset the first placed Lions to keep their season alive.
Unfortunately for the Dogs, they’ll be without their captain Katie Brennan for the rest of the year.
Brennan strained her quad during the week at training and won’t be fit to play with only two rounds to go following this one.
For the all-conquering Lions, coach Craig Starcevich will be hoping for more of the same as his side looks to continue their winning ways.
Despite ranking equal sixth with an average of 21.8 inside 50s, the Lions are third in goals kicked with 4.8 a game behind Carlton (5.8) and Adelaide (5.2).
Another stat that Brisbane have managed to overcome is their seventh-placed 18.6 clearances a game.
So how have the Lions won every week? One word – defence. Brisbane rank third with 105 rebound 50s (21 per game) and are only allowing 2.4 goals a game.
With so much attention focussed on their goalkicking weapons, the real heroes for the Lions are at the other end of the ground.
The Bulldogs will need to take care of the footy and make the most of their forays forward, otherwise they’ll watch the ball fly over their heads and into the waiting arms of the Lions’ three-pronged attack of Kate McCarthy, Sabrina Fredrick-Traub and Tayla Harris.
Prediction
Everything will need to go the Bulldogs’ way as they try to topple Brisbane on their home soil.
Breaking down the Lions’ defensive structure will be key for the Katie Brennan-less team of the west.
Brisbane will be keen to keep some distance between themselves and the chasing pack with another solid win at home.
Brisbane to win by 16 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 11:05am AEDT.
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
The Brisbane Lions have booked their place in the first ever AFLW Grand Final with a hard fought 7 point victory over a gutsy Western Bulldogs team. An inaccurate Lions almost kicked themselves into their first loss of the season, but held on to win 2.11.23 to 2.4.16. From the first siren it was clear the Bulldogs were up for the contest as they dominated the early part of the game in a low scoring opening quarter. Brisbane put the foot down in the second quarter kicking 2.4 to no score to lead by 17 points at half time. It looked like the Lions were going to run away with the game and if they had have kicked straighter, the game may have been over at half time. The third quarter saw the Bulldogs fight back with a couple of goals to Jaimee Lambert. They were lead in the quarter by Emma Kearney who managed to find the ball 11 times. As the last quarter got underway, the Bulldogs only trailed by 4 points and were looking to do what 5 other AFLW teams have failed to do - beat the Brisbane Lions. Unfortunately for them, the ball went into their defense and didn't come out. Brisbane forced the Bulldogs into rushed kicks out of defense and could've put the game away, but couldn't find the big sticks. As the time counted down, two pieces of individual brilliance from Emily Bates sealed the win for the Lions. Trailing by less than a goal, the Bulldogs looked to launch a counter attack to steal the game. Standing in their way on the outer win was Bates who laid a crunching tackle to win a free kick and keep the ball in the Lions' forward half. The other moment was a courageous contested mark in the dying seconds to seal Brisbane's sixth victory from six games and a Grand Final berth.
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Emma Kearney did everything she could to get her team over the line. She picked up a massive 30 disposals for the Dogs. Unfortunately, they couldn't get the ball forward in the last quarter to kick a winning score.
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Brisbane were lead by the inspirational Emily Bates who had 16 disposals, 6 tackles and 5 marks. Bates stepped up whenever the Lions needed something special, especially her tackle on half back to stop a Bulldogs attack and a huge contested mark in the dying stages.
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
FULL TIME BRISBANE 2.11.23 BULLDOGS 2.4.16 A fantastic effort by an under-strength Bulldogs team pushes the Lions all the way in this one. An ugly but critical win secures Brisbane a spot in the first ever AFLW Grand Final
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Bailey Hunt forces a behind and the Lions lead by 7. Emily Bates takes an amazing contested mark from the restart. Brisbane will win this game!
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
A quick kick forward is marked by Harris but it was touched off the boot. Ball up!
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
A heavy bump on Kirsty Lamb and she's in some trouble. She was bumped from one side and into the hip of another player. The clock stops with 2.47 to go as Lamb is helped from the field.
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Alex Anderson with some composure finds Fredrick-Traub. On one leg, she comes in and misses. 6 point ball game! Brisbane 2.10.22 Bulldogs 2.4.16
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
A quick hack kick forward for the Dogs, but there's nobody home. The Lions clear to the wing with 6 minutes to go.
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Another short kick is marked by Sharni Webb, but she puts her kick out on the full. The Bulldogs are under extreme pressure here as Brisbane puts the squeeze on this game.
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Emily Bates puts on a great tackle to halt a Bulldogs counter attack. The first goal in this last quarter is crucial!
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
A long kick into the Lions' forward 50 finds Harris who takes a good mark overhead. Her kick from the pocket misses to the near side. Brisbane 2.9.21 Bulldogs 2.4.16
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Massive last quarter in the context of the season here. If the Bulldogs can cause an upset here, the door will be open for Adelaide to take top spot if they beat Melbourne tonight.
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Emma Kearney picked up 11 disposals in the third quarter, she has 24 for the game so far! Jaimee Lambert has 11 touches and 2 goals for the Bulldogs.
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME BRISBANE 2.8.20 BULLDOGS 2.4.16 The question was if the Bulldogs could run out the game in the hot conditions. They answered it pretty convincingly with a great quarter of footy. With the margin now at 4 points, will they be able to keep their momentum and run over the Lions in the last quarter?
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
The Lions are getting themselves going here. A long kick to the goal square is punched through again by the Bulldogs defense. Brisbane 2.8.20 Bulldogs 2.4.16
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Brisbane finally get their hands on the ball and move it forward. Fredrick-Traub with a great handball but the kick is smothered through for a point. Brisbane 2.7.19 Bulldogs 2.4.16
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
A flying shot at goal from Rebecca Neaves misses to the near side and the Bulldogs are within 2 points. Brisbane 2.6.18 Bulldogs 2.4.16
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Here come the Dogs! Ellie Blackburn finds herself all alone 40m out. Her shot at goal looks good but fades to hit the post. Sam Virgo is pinged for holding the ball and Jaimee Lambert slots another goal for the Dogs. Brisbane 2.6.18 Bulldogs 2.3.15
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
The Bulldogs go forward again and Brisbane rush a behind. Brisbane 2.6.18 Bulldogs 1.2.8