The Brisbane Lions have won back some pride with a Round 1 win over the Adelaide Crows in a rematch of 2017’s AFLW grand final.
The Lions suffered some serious accuracy issues in front of goal but still managed to get the win with a 4.7 (31) to 3.1 (19) victory on the road.
Although Adelaide had some patches where they looked very good, particularly the opening minutes of the game, Brisbane were in control for the most part.
They finished the game with +56 disposals, +16 inside 50s, +12 marks inside 50, and +12 contested possessions.
The Lions found a goal through Sophie Conway in the first term to take an eight point lead at the break, but Adelaide had a brief spurt of excellence in the third and took their opportunities when it came.
They kicked three goals in fairly quick succession, including one handed to them by a 50-metre penalty, and took the lead at the main change.
However the Lions still seemed to be a better side and they had all the momentum in the second half.
Poor form kicking for goal meant it took until late in the third term for them to get in front, but when they did they looked like there was no chance of them losing the lead.
Jess Wuetschner kicked a pair of goals in the third term and Kaitlyn Ashmore added another in the final term, leading to an eventual two goal win.
Sabrina Frederick-Traub had a mixed bag of results – she was marking everything, with ten for the game in the end, but missed three shots on goal.
However she set up two of the Lions’s goals by finding targets up forward, so could proudly say that she did her bit – some goalkicking practice may be on the schedule this week though.
Leah Kaslar and Kate Lutkins were excellent in defense and with Erin Phillips forced to miss the game late due to a quad injury, the Lions’ defense was well on top.
So, the Lions are winners – but questions over whether they can convert their opportunites more regularly, and how they would go against a Crows unit not missing their star player, will remain for now.
Adelaide Crows 3.1 (19)
Brisbane Lions 4.7 (31)
TomC
Roar Guru
Yeah, the wind might have played into the Lions' hands now I think about it. They seemed more prepared to link up by hand to the Crows.
Darren
Guest
Tom I was at the game and agree Lions were clearly a more polished team. It helped having a great target up forward. Crows also missed Phillips and Cramey, possibly the latter more as she is their best kick out of defence. The wind (straight across the ground) coupled with the avg kick length played a part in the lower scoring. Wind meant game was played on one side of the ground predominantly and avg kick length means players are less willing to switch play. Lions started taking that risk more in the 2nd half and it paid off for them. I also think the 'last touch' rule - while reducing congestion is not necessarily helping scoring as it is resulting a turnover in the forward half a lot and more play between the flanks. Overall Lions looked good and will only improve if they back themselves a bit more.
Penster
Roar Guru
AFL people don't rubbish soccer, people with no respect for any code other than their own, rubbish soccer. Ditto for the people rubbishing AFLW. AFLW play with a smaller, lighter ball, there is 16 aside, women are physically less strong than men (kicking, running), same size field, 15 minute quarters plus time on, 2 year of competition at this level = lower scores compared to mens. It's not rocket surgery guys.
Leonard
Guest
Maybe there'd be less criticism of (aka whingeing about?) AFLW low scoring if these scores, from the most important eight games in the VFL's early history, are kept in mind: Fitzroy 5.8 - Ess 3.5; Fitzroy 3.9 - South 3.8; Melbourne 4.10 - Fitzroy 3.12; Essendon 6.7 - Collingwood 2.4; Collingwood 9.6 - Essendon 3.9; Collingwood 4.7 - Fitzroy 3.11; Fitzroy 9.7 - Carlton 5.7; and Fitzroy 4.6 - Collingwood 2.5.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I'm not Dal. He's very clever, but he's not me When your attitude is women's footy should not be played, yes, of course I'm going to belittle you. You clearly fail to understand the big picture and has no interest in having the reasoning patiently explained to them. I find it saves time.
Paul D
Roar Guru
It is is what it is mate. There's no alternate reality where women are kicking 12 goals a quarter. Nothing I can say will change your mind because you're going in with an inherent attitude that you're trying to find fault with the game. It is the best of what Australian women can do at the moment, and the only way it's going to get better is if it is supported and keeps going year after year after year. Which it will. Patience isn't your strong suit tho, you were calling for the demolition of Burswood after 1 game.
Cat whisperer
Guest
Paul or Dalgety U got the gender wrong here , other people have opinions contrary to your own , so you belittle them. Thanks for your condescending advice .
anon
Roar Pro
No-one is rubbishing women, they are merely commenting on AFLW. Yesterday a match was played in perfect conditions with the reigning premiers only managing 4 scoring shots the entire game. That's one scoring shot per quarter.
Alicesprings
Guest
Crowds for the AFLW season will finish well up. No doubt highly skewed by what will be a massive crowd in Perth next week. The real test in regards to crowds will come in the years ahead.
Martin
Guest
The low scoring is more of an issue for TV broadcasters, that is because they can't slip in so many commercials if their only opportunity is after a goal has been scored. Really I'm not fazed by the low scoring, it means more close scoring games.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Usual bell ends from the peanut gallery complaining about standards & ratings. Compared to other women's competitions in other sports it seems to be going pretty well. No pleasing some people. Still not sure why some Australian men feel the need to go online and trash Australian women for playing sport. I find it truly bizarre. Just don't watch it if you don't like it. And say nothing.
nick
Guest
It was on free to air in Queensland.
Maggiea
Guest
What are you on about? Crowds have NOT plummeted.
Aligee
Guest
Last year Collingwood V Carlton got 24k, this year 20, The game at Norwood oval is 2 k up on last year at 11,200 The game at Casey Fields 5,100 was couple of K down on last year They are in reality great crowds, we are talking last year about the first round ever in the first season.
Aligee
Guest
Crowds have held up well havent they ?.
Aligee
Guest
Plenty of people are interested in ratings and plenty are interested in comparisons, how is it trying to deflect, i have stated about 4 times that ratings are down.
Lion tamer
Guest
It’s not pretty
Cat whisperer
Guest
Who cares abt their ratings aligee ? trying to deflect what has been an under whelming start to the footy season
chappy
Guest
Crowds and TV ratings plummeting from last year. This could get very ugly over the next few weeks.
anon
Roar Pro
Many of The W league players have a fair proportion of world class Aussie’s and Americans who are full time professionals . We can’t expect this generation of aflw to be as good as the soccer players at this early stage in there careers . Which is why I don't understand the national media coverage and players demanding to be paid more.